Police Tie Forest Park Rape Suspect To Five Additional Sexual Assaults - Release New Sketch

Police have released a new sketch of the suspect wanted in the Forest Park rape and have tied him to five more sexual assaults around the area.  A $22,000 reward has been offered for information in the case. On August 26th a 69-year-old woman in Forest Park was tasered and raped while jogging.  In March a 23-year-old woman was tasered and then sexually assaulted in the park.

Queens

Police have connected the suspect wanted in a Forest Park rape last month to five more sexual assaults in the same area, according to the Queens Courier. 

The NYPD, which released a new sketch of the suspect Thursday, said the man allegedly attacked six different females, ranging from ages 13 to 69, between March 2011 and this August.

The latest assault occurred around 4:30 p.m. on August 26, according to police, when the victim, a 69-year-old woman, while jogging through the park, was approached by the suspect, who tasered and pushed her to the ground before raping her.

He is also accused of attempting to rape a 54-year-old jogger on March 25, 2011 in the park, and a 13-year-old on September 7 of the same year near Park Lane and Myrtle Avenue. Both incidents occurred in the morning.

The suspect allegedly then groped a 34-year-old woman at the corner of Woodhaven Boulevard and Park Lane South around 1 p.m. on August 15, 2012.

Later that year, on November 28, he also assaulted another woman. The 40-year-old victim, who was jogging with her dog, was approached by the suspect who touched her with his exposed genitalia.

On March 23 of this year, the suspect allegedly struck a 23-year-old woman with a stun gun and then tried to rape her in Forest Park.

A person was arrested for that sexual assault, but police later said they had the wrong man.

The suspect is described as white, 30 to 40 years old, 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, with light brown hair and clean shaven. He was wearing a black t-shirt and black sweat pants during the August 26 incident.

A $22,000 reward has been offered for information in the case.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto Crime Stoppers website or can text their tips to CRIMES (274637), then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.

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Forest Park rape suspect tied to five additional sexual assaults

Queens Courier -  September 5 2013 - By Cristabelle Tumola

69-Year-Old,  Tasered & Raped In Forest Park

A Walk In The Park - August 30, 2013 

Police Release Sketch Of Forest Park Taser Attacker - Joggers On High Alert

A Walk In The Park - March 31, 2013 

Female Jogger Tasered, Sexually Attacked, & Robbed In Forest Park
A Walk In The Park -  March 30, 2013 - By Geoffrey Croft

69-Year-Old, Tasered & Raped In Forest Park

Police released a sketch of the suspect  wanted for allegedly tasering then raping a 69-year-old woman in Forest Park on August 26th while jogging.  In March, a 23-year-old woman was struck with a stun gun and then sexually assaulted in the park.

Queens

Police are looking for the man they say tasered and pushed a woman to the ground before raping her in Forest Park, according to the Queens Courier.

The attack happened around 4:30 p.m. on Monday, August 26 when the victim, a 69-year-old woman, while jogging through the park, was approached by the suspect.

The victim was taken to Queens Hospital Center, where she was treated and released.

Police describe the perpetrator as white, 30 to 40 years 0ld, 5 feet 9 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall, with light brown hair and clean shaven. He was wearing a black t-shirt and black sweat pants.

A $22,ooo reward has been offered for information in the case. The city of New York is offering $10,000, the NYPD is paying a $10,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest and conviction of the suspect, and Crime Stoppers is offering an additional $2,000 for an arrest and indictment.

The NYPD has increased patrols in and around the park as cops look for the alleged rapist.

In March, a 23-year-old woman was struck with a stun gun and then sexually assaulted in the park.

A person was arrested, but police later said they had the wrong man.

At the time, park security was increased following the incident and police presence was felt in the days after the attack.

Police are still investigating and could not confirm a connection between the two sexual assaults.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto Crime Stoppers website or can text their tips to CRIMES (274637), then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.

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Cops seek suspect in Forest Park rape

Queens Courier - August 30th, 2013

Man Uses Stun Gun on Jogger,  69,  Rapes Her in Queens Park: Cops

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Sketch of Forest Park Suspect Released,  NYPD Offers Reward

DNAinfo - September 1, 2013 - By Jess Wisloski

Police Release Sketch Of Forest Park Taser Attacker - Joggers On High Alert

A Walk In The Park - March 31, 2013 

Female Jogger Tasered, Sexually Attacked, & Robbed In Forest Park
A Walk In The Park -  March 30, 2013 - By Geoffrey Croft

UPDATE: Convicted Murderer Arrested In Forest Park Jogger Taser Attack

Last night police arrested a man who allegedly tasered, robbed and attempted to sexually assault a 23-year-old while she jogged in Forest Park Friday night.  He was arrested the day before for another sexual attack.

Queens 

By Geoffrey Croft

Richard Kassebaum,  42,  a convicted killer from Howard Beach has been charged with attempted predatory sexual assault,  attempted rape and sex abuse in Friday's Forest Park attack and robbery. 

Police now say Kassebaum was arrested the day before in another sexual attack, this time on a 40-year-old woman, NYC Park Advocates has learned.

Authorities say two days after the Forest Park incident Kassebaum attacked another woman, this time in broad daylight. 

He put the woman in a choke hold and grabbed her buttocks.  She fought back and he escaped on foot. The incident occurred on March 31st, at 4:45pm at 86-20 Woodhaven Blvd. 

Sources say he was caught on video in another part of the park and recognized.  He was re-arrested in connection with the Forest Park incident.   

He was picked out of a police line-up. 

In 1990 Kassebaum pleaded guilty to killing his aunt.

Barbara Jacoutot, 49, was stabbed numerous times in the chest.  She was found in her bed in her Flushing home.

Police charged Richard Kassebaum, then a 19-year-old student at Francis Lewis High School in Flushing, with the gruesome killing.

He served 17 years in prison and was paroled in Feb. 2009 and remained on parole.

The 23-year-old victim was running on the horse trail inside the park around 7:30 p.m. when police say the suspect came out of the woods, tasered her in the neck and then pulled her into the bushes and attempted to rape her.  

She fought him off and he escaped on foot.  

There were two rapes in the park in 2011. 

Read More:

Suspect In Forest Park Sexual Assault Murdered His Aunt In 1990

gothamist - April 3, 2013 - By John Del Signore

Man Arrested in Attempted Sex Assault, Taser of Woman in Forest Park

WNBC - April 2, 2013

A Queens Woman Is Found Slain And Her Nephew, 19, Is Charged

New York Times - March 11, 1990  - By James C. McKinley Jr.  

Police Release Sketch Of Forest Park Taser Attacker - Joggers On High Alert

A Walk In The Park - March 31, 2013

Police Release Sketch Of Forest Park Taser Attacker - Joggers On High Alert

Police released a sketch of suspect wanted in the tazer attack of a woman jogging on a horse foot path inside Forest Park on Friday night.  The assailant is described as a while male 35-40 years old, 5'9", medium build, last seen wearing a gold hoop earring, navy blue hooded sweatshirt, navy blue track pants with reddish/brown hair and facial hair.  The woman was running through Forest Park in Queens about 7:30 p.m. on Friday when the assailant came up from behind and shoved a stun gun into her neck, police said.   (Image: DCPI ) 

The New York City Police Department is seeking the public's assistance in locating the following suspect who is wanted in connection with an Sexual Assault that occurred within the confines of the 102nd Precinct.  The details are as follows:

On Friday, March 29th, 2013 at approximately 1925 hours, the victim, a F/W/23, was jogging inside of Forest Hills Park when the suspect approached the victim from behind, struck her with a stun gun and sexually assaulted her.  The victim was taken to an area hospital for injuries sustained to her neck.

The suspect is described as being a M/W, 35-40 years old, 5'9",  medium build, last seen wearing a gold hoop earring, navy blue hooded sweatshirt, navy blue track pants with reddish/brown hair and facial hair.

A sketch of the suspect is attached.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).  The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Queens

Terrified Queens joggers peered over their shoulders Saturday after a taser-toting pervert zapped a 23-year-old runner in a foiled rape attempt, according to the NY Daily News. 

The woman was running through Forest Hills Park in Queens about 7:30 p.m. on Friday when the assailant came up from behind and shoved a stun gun into her neck, police said. 

The would-be rapist then dragged the dazed victim into the bushes near the park’s horse trails, fleeing only after she fought him off, police said.

“I hope they catch that pervert,” said Emily Sutton, 27, who often runs along the same path. 

“I never run at night. Too many weirdos.”

Police investigate area near horse trails in Queens’ Forest Park on Saturday after stun-gun attack on female jogger. She was able to fight him off. (Photo by Joe Marino/Daily News)

Sutton, a catering business manager, said she always carries protection in the park.

 “If he would have tried that on me, I would have Maced him in the face,” she said.  

Cops said the attacker fled the scene and remained at large Saturday. 

Katelyn Levin, 32, a medical student who lives near the sprawling park, was jogging on the same trails Saturday when she learned there was a rapist still roaming around. “That’s really scary,” she said after jogging on the stretch near the Jackie Robinson Parkway. “I’m horrified by the thought that there is a predator on the loose with a stun gun.”

Levin complained that the park could use more police protection — and suggested she might don more than just sneakers before her next run.

“I hate guns,” she said. “But seriously, it’s getting to the point where women in New York need to carry weapons to protect themselves.”

Read More:

Police Seek Suspect In Queens Park Taser Attack

CBS News - March 31, 2013

Police Searching For Suspect Who Tasered Queens Jogger During Attempted Rape

gothamist - March 31, 2013 - By Ben Yakas  

Man Tasers Woman, Attempts to Sexually Assault Her in Queens Park: Police

WNBC -  March 31, 2013  

Queens joggers on high alert after stun gun zap attack at Forest Hills Park

New York Daily News - March 30, 2013 - By Matthew Lysiak, Joe Kemp, & Larry McShane

Female Jogger Tasered, Sexually Attacked, & Robbed In Forest Park
A Walk In The Park -  March 30, 2013 - Bt Geoffrey Croft

    

Female Jogger Tasered, Sexually Attacked, & Robbed In Forest Park

The horse trail in Forest Park where a 23-year-old jogger was attacked from behind and tasered in the neck last night. The assailant dragged the woman into the bushes and tried to take off the woman's shirt. The victim bravely fought back. (Photo: Sam Costanza)

Queens

By Geoffrey Croft

Police are investigating the attempted rape of a jogger in Forest Park last night NYC Park Advocates has learned. 

The 23-year-old victim was attacked from behind with a Taser gun and robbed of her I-Phone.  The man then attempted to rape her.

The woman was tasered in the neck.  The assailant tried to rip her clothes off but the woman fought back 

The horrifying incident occurred last night at approximately 7:30pm on the horse trail in Forest Park.

EMS transported the victim to a local hospital where she was treated and later released.

Police are looking for a white male in 30's who escaped on foot. 

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Stun gun used in sex assault on female jogger

WABC - March 30, 2013

Police search for man who attempted to sexually assault jogger in Queens park

WPIX - By Kaity Tong - March 30, 2013  

23-Year-Old Female Jogger Tasered During Attempted Sexual Assault

gothamist - March 30,  2013 - By Ben Yakas  

Woman foils stun-gun sex fiend in Queens 

New York Post - March 30, 2013 - By Rebecca Harshbarger 

Stun Gun Used in Sex Attack Try

New York Daily News - March 30, 2013 - By Thomas Tracy

Forest Park Rapist Sentenced Up To 32 Years

On July 15th, Carl Wallace, 30, (above) was sentenced to serve between 28 1/2 and 32 years in prison after being convicted last month of raping and robbing a 29-year-old woman in Forest Park on September 24, 2009. The attack occurred around 3:20 a.m. on the morning. The victim was reportedly dragged at knife-point to a wooded area inside the park near the intersection of Woodhaven Boulevard and Park Lane South. Wallace allegedly raped and threatened to stab the woman if she screamed. After the attack he robbed her, stealing cash, an iPod and identification from the victim’s bag before fleeing. He was arrested on October 28th.

Queens

A Queens judge ordered a Brooklyn man to serve up to 32 years behind bars after being convicted last month of raping and robbing a woman in Forest Park inSeptember 2009, it was announced.

Carl Wallace, 30, of Hawthorne Street was sentenced last Friday, July 15, by Queens Supreme Court Justice Richard L. Buchter to serve between 28 1/2 and 32 years in prison. He was found guilty on June 21 on charges of first-degree rape, third-degree robbery and second-degree unlawful imprisonment for attacking the woman during an early morning in September 2009, according to the Times Newsweekly.

Wallace was arrested four months following the sexual assault after genetic evidence recovered from the rape victim matched his DNA, which he provided to the state databank following his conviction on attempted burglary charges in 2003.

“This defendant is a violent predator who poses a serious threat to public safety, and as such, the sentenced imposed by the court is more than warranted,” said Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown. “The fact that [Wallace] was required to submit a sample to the DNA data- bank following a 2003 attempted burglary conviction, and thus was swiftly identified as the perpetrator in this case, once again underscores its effectiveness as a tool of law enforcement.”

Reportedly, the attack occurred at around 3:20 a.m. on the morning of Sept. 24, 2009 in the vicinity of Park Lane South and 91st Street.

Crime Scene. The rape of a 29-year-old student teacher was the third sexual attack in Forest Park since the start of summer, according to The Forum. Earlier this year two women were attacked on the same day, in different locations in Forest Park. Back in June, a young attacker raped one woman less than two hours after having tried to rip off the clothes of another woman who was at the park exercising. (Photo: The Forum)

According to testimony provided during trial, the female victim was walking through the area when Wallace approached her from behind and wrapped his arms around her.

Threatening to stab her if she tried to scream, police noted, he dragged her into nearby Forest Park and behind a number of trees. After ordering her to be quiet and repeating his threat to stab her if she made a sound, it was reported, he raped the woman.

Following the attack, authorities said, Wallace removed cash, an iPod and the victim’s identification from her pocketbook, then fled from the scene.

The incident was later reported to the 102nd Precinct. The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment and a rape kit was prepared. As noted, genetic evidence recovered through the rape kit was found to match Wallace’s DNA.

“At present, DNA is collected upon conviction for all felonies and a limited group of only 36 misdemeanors,” Brown added. “The law must be expanded to allow DNA samples to be taken for all convictions so that justice can truly be served to the fullest.”

Assistant District Attorney Frank P. DeGaetano, a supervisor in the D.A.’s Special Victims Bureau, prosecuted the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Marjory D. Fisher, bureau chief, and Kenneth M. Appelbaum and Lucinda C. Suarez, deputy bureau chiefs.

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JUSTICE FOR FOREST PARK RAPE VICTIM

Convicted Attacker Sent To Slammer

Times Newsweekly - July 21, 2011 - by Robert Pozarycki

Woman Raped in Forest Park

The Forum - October 1, 2009 - By Patricia Adams

Brutal park rape shock

New York Post - September 24, 2009 - By John Doyle

Forest Park rape suspect in custody

A man suspected of rape and sexual assault in Forest Park this year is in custody, police said, according to the Queens Chronicle. Carl Wallace, 29, from Brooklyn, was arrested on Oct. 28 after cops suspected he is the same man responsible for at least one of the three sexual attacks that took place in or just outside the park within the past five months, the 102nd Precinct confirmed this week. Wallace was denied bail and has been charged with first-degree rape, predatory sexual assault, first-degree robbery and unlawful imprisonment in the first degree.

Wallace’s DNA was found to match that of a 29-year-old woman who was raped on Sept. 24 at around 3 a.m., according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office. The victim was reportedly dragged at knifepoint to a wooded area near the intersection of Woodhaven Boulevard and Park Lane South, where the defendant allegedly raped and threatened to stab her if she screamed. After the attack, the man stole cash, an iPod and identification from the victim’s bag before fleeing.

Read More:

Forest Park rape suspect in custody
Queens Chronicle - November 25, 2009 - by Lisa Fogarty