Queens Park Rape Suspect Charged

"...our city parks should be a safe haven for people at any time of the day or night. But earlier this week it is alleged that a human predator lurked in the darkness and, in separate attacks, ambushed two lone women.”  - Queens District Attorney Richard Brown

Queens

By Geoffrey Croft

The knife-wielding Flushing man who preyed on two women and sexually assaulted them in a Queens park is charged with rape and predatory sexual assault, authorities said Saturday according to the Daily News.

Charles Tobin, 29 was charged Saturday after he allegedly hunted down the victims in Kissena Park during separate late-night attacks earlier this week.   Tobin was arraigned and held without bail, he could spend the rest of his life locked up if convicted of the charges.  

On Tuesday approached a 32-year woman from behind at knife point in Kissena Park Corridor park. He demanded money and robbed her of $ 50 dollars then forced her into a wooded area where he instructed her to put a condom on him, perform a sex act on him  before raping her while holding the knife according to authorities.  

Tobin struck again the next night, allegedly pouncing on a 17-year-old asain girl who had just finished jogging in the park.  The jogger told the attacker she had no money on her. 

“Then you will have to do something for me,” Tobin said before forcing her to perform a sex act on him while he held the knife to her neck, authorities said. 

He placed the knife to her neck and forced her into a wooded area. He instructed her to put a condom on him and forced her to perform a sex act on him.

Tobin had “distinctive, spike-like objects hanging from his ears,” according to the criminal complaint.  

Police arrested Tobin in a playground in the same park where the crimes occurred. Police said they saw him drinking from a water fountain and he matched a description of the attacker.  

Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said “our city parks should be a safe haven for people at any time of the day or night. But earlier this week it is alleged that a human predator lurked in the darkness and, in separate attacks, ambushed two lone women.”  

Tobin’s lawyer could not be reached for comment. 

Read More: 

Man busted in Queens park preyed on, sexually assaulted two women at knifepoint, prosecutors claim

New York Daily News - July 22, 2017 - By Andrew Keshner 

Suspect Wanted In Knife-Point Sexual Assaults Apprehended In Queens Playground

A Walk In The Park - July 21, 2017 

Sex Crime Pattern Near Kissena Park

The police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a man wanted in several sexual assaults within the confines of the 109 Precinct near Kissena Park.  

The male is described as Hispanic, 40, 200 lbs, 6'0", with a slim and muscular build, black hair with some grey, and a tattoo of a red and green star on the back of his arm above the elbow.

Details are as follows: 

Incident #1 -  On Friday, June 10, 2016 at approximately  6:30 on Oak Avenue a 50-year-old female was riding her bicycle beside Kissena Park when a male grabbed her and pulled her towards the park. The male attempted to talk to the victim as he touched himself over his clothing. The female then broke free and fled. 

Incident #2 - Two days later on Sunday, at approximately 1015 am at the intersection of Colden Street and Mulberry Avenue near the park, a 24-year-old female was approached by the male who engaged her in conversation. The man hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, and grabbed her buttocks. The male then touched himself over his clothing, and the victim fled on foot. 

Incident #3 - On Wednesday, in the vicinity of 56 Avenue and 148 Street a 41-year-old female was approached by a male who grabbed both her arms and tried to pull her into a backyard. 

The victim screamed and the male fled in a red vehicle.

The male is described as Hispanic, 40, 200 lbs, 6'0", with a slim and muscular build, black hair with some grey, and a tattoo of a red and green star on the back of his arm above the elbow.

Two of the victims spoke only Spanish. 

Anyone with information in regards to these incidents is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).  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.

Thieves Wearing Masks Rob Couple In Queens Park

Queens

A walk in the park turned into a nightmare for an Asian husband and wife this week when they were mugged in Kissena Park. 

The couple, male, 34, and female, 31 were in the park near 45 Avenue & Colden St. at 8:50pm when they were approached from behind by two assailants black wearing masks. 

One punched the female in the back of the head causing her to fall on the ground.  While she was on the floor one held the husband and twisted his arm behind his back and removed 

$ 50 from the victom's pants pockets.

The perps fled southbound on Colden St. according to police. 

The incident occurred on Tuesday night, November 3rd within the confines of the 109th Pct.   

Both suspects were described as 6'0 tall, 180 pounds wearing black. 

Sgt. Brendan Ryan from DCPI said the investigation is on going and encouraged the public to call the NYPD Tip Hotline (800) 577 - TIPS  if they had any information involving the case.

- Geoffrey Croft

Asian Woman Found "Disemboweled" In Queens Park

Queens

By Geoffrey Croft

An Asian woman, possibly in her 40's, was found disemboweled yesterday by a homeless man in a wooded area in Kissena Corridor Park.   

The woman was found with a slash wound to the neck and abdomen and had blood on her face according to authorities. 

Her intenstins were found exposed.   

A homeless man, 49, had been walking to a nearby church for a free lunch and cut through Kissena Park where he made the startling discovery. He stopped to relieve himself in the bushes  when he spotted the body face up.

No ID was found on the victim.

Police are checking missing person reports and have not ruled out the possibly that she was a smuggling victim. 

A determination has not been made regarding how long the body had been there. 

A 911 call was placed at 2:52 p.m. for a report of an unconscious person in the vicinity of Colden Street and Laburnum Avenue within the confines of the 109 Pct. 

Parks Worker Found Dead In Kissena Park

Queens

By Geoffrey Croft

A seasonal park employee assigned to the tennis courts in Kissena Park was found unconscious today NYC Park Advocates has learned.

EMS transported Joseph Sharp, 47, to Flushing Hospital, where he later passed away. 

The medical examiner will determine the cause of death.

Mr. Sharp worked for the Parks Department as a City Seasonal Aide in various positions since 2006 according to the agency. 

"We are saddened to hear of the loss of Joseph Sharp," the Parks Department said in a statement.

"Mr. Sharp began with Parks in 2006, serving in capacities ranging from Job Training Participant to City Seasonal Aide to Filter Plant Operator at Fisher Pool.  He assisted with SuperStorm Sandy recovery.  At the time of his passing, he was working as a seasonal CSA at the Kissena Park tennis courts.  

Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time."

Man Wanted For Raping And Burning Woman In Kissena Park

Wu Lin, 35, is wanted for allegedly raping a 31-year-old woman in Kissena Park on Wednesday night around 10 pm.  according to the police.  (Photo: NYPD)

Queens

Police are hunting for a man accused of raping a woman inside his car in Flushing before burning her hair and clothes before she fled. 

Wu Lin, 35, allegedly sexually assaulted a 31-year-old woman about 10 p.m. on Dec. 4, the NYPD said. The incident took place in Kissena Park at 165-14 Booth Memorial Avenue, police said.

Lin and the victim knew each other, police said.

Lin was described by police as Asian with black hair and brown eyes. He is 5-foot-7, weighing roughly 140 pounds.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-8477.

Read More:

Man accused of raping and burning woman in Flushing
Queens Courier - By Melissa Chan -  December 6th, 2013

Police Searching For Flushing, Queens Rape Suspect 
WCBS -  December 6, 2013

City Removes Destroyed Bench In Deadly Tree Incident That Killed Pregnant Yingyi Li-Dikov In Kissena Park

The city has removed the crushed park bench where Yingyi Li-Dikov, 30, was tragically killed on Sunday night in Kissena Park. She was sitting enjoying a beautiful evening when a large deceased Oak tree suddenly fell, taking the life of Mrs. Li-Dikov and her unborn child.  (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge. 

Monday Morning -  Kissena Park. (NYC Park Advocates)


Rotted Tree Stump From Deadly Oak Tree. Fungal decay known as "butt root" significantly reduced tree wood strength at the trees most vulnerable point - the tree base.  Diminished is the ability for the tree to defy gravity and remain upright eventually failing under its own weight of close to 4-5 tons of tree mass. 



The remains of a hallowed tree stump few feet away. 

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NY 1 - August 8, 2013 - By Agnes Chung


Rotted Tree Killed Pregnant Woman In Kissena Park
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Pregnant Woman Killed By Tree In Queens Park
A Walk In The Park - August 4, 2013 - By Geoffrey Croft 

Rotted Tree Killed Pregnant Woman In Kissena Park

City's Lack of Tree Maintance and Inspections Slammed



The remains of the park bench where Yingyi Li-Dikov, 30, was tragically killed last night in Kissena Park. (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge. 


Rotted Tree Stump From Deadly Oak Tree. With the failed oak tree now removed, the remaining tree stump tells a scary story of a slow progression of fungal decay that had been in progress for years if not decades.  The fungal decay known as "butt root" significantly reduced tree wood strength at the trees most vulnerable point- the tree base.  Diminished is the ability for the tree to defy gravity and remain upright eventually failing under its own weight of close to 4-5 tons of tree mass. 

"The tree was hollowed out. It was dead," said several Parks Department workers.   

Thirteen people have been injured by trees over the last eight weeks alone.  

Queens

By Geoffrey Croft

A large rotted Oak tree killed a pregnant Queens woman, NYC Park Advocates has learned.

Yingyi Li-Dikov, 30, was tragically killed last night while sitting on a park bench enjoying a beautiful Sunday evening in Kissena Park when the diseased Oak tree crushed her. 

Her heart broken husband, Aleksandar Dikov, 20, dressed in his Army National Guard uniform, wept this morning with his parents as he placed flowers beside the crushed bench she was killed on.

Two Park Enforcement Patrol officers stand guard near makeshift memorial.  Yingyi Li-Dikov's husband, Aleksandar, placed flowers up against the bench in a heart breaking moment this morning. 

They were married in June 2012. She was six months pregnant and were expecting a daughter.

The loving couple had just moved back from Texas in March where he was doing basic training in the National Guard.  They were in the process of moving into an apt. on Oak Avenue across the street from the park when this horrific tragedy struck.  

The rotted base of the tree where it snapped. A carefully worded statement by the Parks Department avoided admitting the trees were not inspected.

According to Mr. Dikov, they both used the park daily. 

We have know learned that over the last eight weeks alone 13 people have been injured including last night's horrific tragedy. 

The problems involving the city's trees are widely known. 

The City allocates a fraction of the funds necessary to properly maintain and inspect its more than 2.6 million trees.

The City recently paid out  $ 14.5 million dollars to settle two tree cases in Central Park and has numerous cases pending. 

When will the elected officials allocate the proper funds needed to help AVOID people getting hurt or killed.  

The Parks Department desperately needs personnel to care for its only living infrastructure. 

How many more people have to be injured killed or before the City begins to take this issue seriously.

The Parks Department refused to provide the media with the number of tree inspectors for the more than  2.6 million trees they are legally charged with caring for, or provide the number of dedicated personnel to maintain them. 

Instead, the agency dumped out a statement at 5:00pm meant in part to deceive the media and the public into thinking the trees near the incident were inspected when they were clearly not. The carefully worded statement said the area had "six zone inspections," without specifically mentioning that each tree or any tree had been inspected.   

Besides not taking responsibility for the tragedy, they also stated that the agency is now,  "contracting an independent tree consultant to review all of our tree management procedures."  

"The incident involving a falling tree Sunday in Kissena Park was a tragic accident and our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family.  This oak tree, approximately 70-years old and 50-feet tall, snapped about eight feet from the ground.  The tree is being thoroughly examined to determine more about its condition."

At the time of the statement's release, the agency was fully aware of the tree's condition.  

"NYC Parks is responsible for the maintenance of 2 million trees inside our parks and 600,000 more along NYC streets.  Trees along pathways, roadways and playgrounds inside of parks are regularly inspected by Park Supervisors, augmented by our staff of professional foresters, who look for potential defects. There have been six zone inspections in 2013 in this area of Kissena Park, the last one on June 20.

Last winter, our Supervisors completed a retraining program to better identify defects.  NYC Parks is in the process of contracting an independent tree consultant to review all of our tree management procedures."


The dead 50 foot long Oak tree lays across the staircase and path.


The recent  $ 70 billion dollar budget passed by the Mayor and the City Council allocates just  $ 290 million dollars in tax levy funds for parks maintenance and operation for an agency responsible for 14 percent of the City's land. 

State Senator Tony Avella, who represents the area, blamed the city for neglecting tree maintenance. 

“It’s unacceptable,” he said. “You can’t keep saying it’s an act of God.” 

At a press conference today held near where Yingyi Li-Dikov was killed,  Sen.  Avella called on the Mayor to suspend the Million Tree Program and instead devote those resources to properly maintain and inspect the existing tree inventory. 

"How can the mayor want to plant a million trees if the City cannot even take care of the trees is already has."

Avella has long been a long time critic of the Parks Department's inability and unwillingness to properly maintain city trees and to respond to homeowners requests for tree pruning and tree removals. 

"I have been saying for a while now that people's lives are in danger as a result of the current City tree policy," Avella said in a statement.

The Senator also announced much needed legislation which would require the city to contract with a consulting arborist to inspect, diagnose and analyze for defects and disease all public trees and/or tree parts involved in property damage, personal injury or death within 48 hours and for a report to be issued that is publicly available on-line within 30 days of the inspection.

"The resources and the leadership needed so as to provide the Best Management Practices and highest standard possible to maintain the urban tree asset and public safety has been shifted elsewhere, now with consequences," said noted arborist, Carsten Glaeser,  PHD from Glaeser Horticultural Consulting.    

"Parks & Rec has placed its greater share of resources into new tree plantings by their MillionTree program rather than management activities that would best minimize tree risk to the passing public- especially after storms like Hurricane Sandy," he said.  

On July 6th, Martin Novitsky, was struck in the head by a massive falling tree branch while walking on the Boardwalk near Coney Island. 

Queens Forestry removes the deadly tree this afternoon. 

State Senator Tony Avella, (pictured with noted arborist Carsten Glaeser, and Geoffrey Croft, president of NYC Park Advocates) called on the Mayor to suspend the Million Tree Program and instead devote those resources to properly maintain and inspect the existing tree inventory.  The Senator also announced much needed legislation meant to track such tree incidents. 


Hundreds of dangling tree limbs and dead trees litter the heavily used park. Numerious ones were clearly visible a few feet away from the press conference  including this Black Cherry tree.  The community has long complained about the Parks Department's lack of tree care in Kissena Park which has jeopardized public safety. 

Neighbors including a new mother, gathered at the site this evening. 

The crushed park bench is cordoned off with a metal barricade and wrapped in yellow caution tape this evening. 


Going... It took only a few hours this afternoon for Queens Forestry to remove a long dead  90-year-old Red Oak tree near where the woman was killed near Parsons and Rose Avenues.   "We can't remove them unless we know about them," commented one Forester who admitted they only have a few tree inspectors. 

At least one crew member working here responded to the tragic nearby death of Tony Laino, 30, on October 29, 2012 when a street tree came crashing through his second story bedroom during Hurricane Sandy.  Numerous people reportedly called 311 to complain that the tree was dangerous and needed to be taken down.  

Going...

Gone.


Read/View More:

Park Advocate: Tree That Killed Woman In Queens Was Diseased

Geoffrey Croft Accuses City Of Failing To Fund Tree Inspections

WCBS/1010 WINS -  August 6, 2013 

Husband of pregnant woman killed by falling tree branch in NYC park visits site 

New York Daily News - August 5, 2013 - By Nicholle Buckley, Barry Paddock, Jennifer Fermino and Corky Siemaszko

Husband breaks down at scene of tragic mom-to-be's death

New York Post - August 5, 2013 - By Lia Eustachewich, Sally Goldenberg and Bruce Golding 

Husband Speaks Out After Tree Falls On Wife, Kills Her At Queens Park

Yingyi Li, 30, Was Six Months Pregnant At Time Of Tragedy

WCBS - August 5, 2013 - By   Alice Gainer 

Experts say death of pregnant woman hit by falling tree in Queens park

could have been prevented 

WPIX - August 5, 2013 - By Narmeen Choudhury   

Pregnant Woman Killed by Falling Tree in NYC Park

WNBC - August 6, 2013 -  By Jen Maxfield and Brynn Gingras  

Experts Warns Of Park Tree Dangers

WNBC - August 5, 2013 - By Brynn Gingras  

Senator Avella calls for action after tree related death in Kissena Park

New York Daily News - August 5, 2013 - Taylor Flowers

Pregnant woman killed when tree branch falls in Queens

WABC - August 5, 2013 - By Lucy Yang 

Falling Tree Shatters Lives and Dreams of a Family

New York Times - August 5, 2013 - By SARAH MASLIN NIR 

Pregnant Woman Killed By Tree In Queens Park
A Walk In The Park - August 4, 2013 - By Geoffrey Croft 

Woman Struck By Large Branch In East Harlem - 9th Tree Injury In 7 Weeks
A Walk In The Park - July 30, 2013

Pregnant Woman Killed By Tree In Queens Park

12th Tree Injury In Eight Weeks



Police investigate the scene where this large Oak tree fell, killing Yingyi Li , 30  who was enjoying a beautiful Sunday evening in Kissena Park when  tragedy struck.  Three hours earlier a woman was injured after being struck in the head by a tree branch in another Queens Park. (Photos: Andrew Savulich New York Daily News)

Queens

By Geoffrey Croft

A 30-year-old pregnant woman died this evening after being struck by a tree while sitting on a bench in a Queens Park, NYC Park Advocates has learned.    

Yingyi Li,  from Parsons Blvd. was killed in Kissena Park when a large Oak tree suddenly came crashing down this evening around 6:24pm.

The woman suffered injuries to her head and face according to EMS.

A witness said he saw the woman lying face down on the floor bleeding.

EMS were unsuccessful in saving her.  She was pronounced dead on arrival at NY Hospital Queens.

A second woman was also struck at the scene and was treated.  

Three hours earlier a park patron was injured by a tree in another Queens Park.

A 25-year-old female was struck in the head by a fallen tree limb in Glover Cleveland Park in Queens near Grandview Avenue & Stanhope Street at 3:24pm.

She was transported to Wykoff Hospital with a head injury according to EMS.  

At least twelve people have been injured by fallen tree limbs over the last eight weeks.


The bench was at least 30 feet away from where the tree originally stood. 

Police guard the scene on Sunday evening.   (Photo: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates)
Click on image to enlarge. 

Read More: 

Pregnant woman killed by falling tree in Kissena Park

WPIX - August 4, 2013 -  McGee Hickey

Pregnant woman killed after tree part falls in Queens 

WABC - August 4, 2013 - By Matt Kozar 

Pregnant Woman Killed By Falling Tree In Queens

WCBS - August 4, 2013 -  By Tracee Carrasco

Falling Tree Kills Woman in Queens

New York Times - August 4, 2013

Pregnant woman killed by falling tree in Queens

My Fox - August 5, 2013 - By Stacey Delikat   

Pregnant Woman Killed by Falling Tree in Queens

WNBC - August 4, 2013 - By Brynn Gingras   

Pregnant woman Yingyi Li dies after falling tree crashes onto her in Kissena park

New York Daily News -  By Chelsia Rose Marcius and Oren Yaniv 

Pregnant woman killed by fallen tree in Queens park

New York Post - August 4, 2014 - By Kevin Sheehan, Larry Celona and Antonio Antenucci 

Woman Struck By Large Branch In East Harlem - 9th Tree Injury In 7 Weeks

A Walk In The Park - July 30, 2013 - By Geoffrey Croft 

Elderly Woman Found In Kissena Park Lake

Queens

By Geoffrey Croft

The body of a 63-year-old woman was found early this morning in the lake at Kissena Park.

The body was discovered in the water at 7:45am near 164th St. west of Metcalf Avenue by a park patron according to the police.

She was unconscious when police arrived. EMS pronounced her dead at the scene.

No criminality is suspected at this time according to the police.  

The woman may have slipped while out for a morning walk. 

Kissena Park Hit-And-Run Kills 76-Year-Old

Police and medical examiner personel remove the body of Victor Florio, 76, who was struck by a 22 year-old hit-and-run driver this morning near 164th Street & Booth Memorial Ave. in Queens.   The impact knocked the man into a wooded area of Kissena Park.  (Photo: Robert Stridiron) 

Queens

A Queens man has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident that left a 76-year-old man dead, cops said, according to the New York Post. 

Shiwoo Lee, 22, of Queens, was driving his 2007 Toyota Rav 4 south on 164th Street near Booth Memorial Avenue when he jumped the curb and hit Vito Florio around 7:45 a.m., police said. The victim was thrown into a wooded area of Kissena Park, where he was pronounced dead, according to police.

The out-of-control driver stopped, then jumped out of the SUV and ran south on 164th Street, cops said. He was charged with leaving the scene of an accident.

Accused hit-run driver Shiwoo Lee is led out of the NYPD's 109the Precinct today. Police say he fatally struck a man in Flushing, Queens, and then fled the scene. (Photo: Riyad Hasan)

Read More:

Two die in separate Queens crashes; driver charged with leaving scene in one of them

 New York Post - October 20, 2012 - By Rebecca Harshbarger

Suspect captured by cops after fatal hit-and-run of elderly Queens 
man Victim struck while strolling on sidewalk just blocks from his home

New York Daily News - October 20, 2012 - By Joe Kemp and Henrick Karoliszyn  

Teen Girl Falls 15 Feet Through Open Sewer In Kissena Park- Breaks Leg

NYFD firefighters remove 16-year-old Amber Thom after she fell through an open storm drain inside Kissena Park on Friday night. She broke her leg in the 15-foot plunge. (Image: screen grab-Eyewitness News)

Queens

By Geoffrey Croft

A teenage girl was rescued by NYFD firefighters after falling through an open storm drain inside a Queens park on Friday night, A Walk In The Park has learned.

Amber Thom, 16, a student at Arch Bishop Malloy High School was walking with five friends in a wooded area inside Kissena Park near Underhill Avenue and 168th Street in Auburndale about 10:30 p.m. when she fell through an open storm drain, according to NYFD officials.

The girl was walking on a log when she slipped and fell approximately 15 feet straight down through an open man hole cover.

Friends climbed down the drain to help her but were unable to move her. Friends called 911 at 10:35pm.

Engine 299 arrived first at the scene within five minutes. Within 20 minutes Thom was lifted out of the hole by firefighters. By 11:21pm Thorn and two friends had been removed from the sewer drain. The teen was taken to Long Island Jewish hospital where she was treated for a broken leg.

The manhole cover was found beside the opening. According to neighbors teenage kids often gather in the remote area of the park and sometimes explore the underground storm drains.

"If we had a real inspection program these things wouldn't happen," said an long time Parks Department worker who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "We have no workers and an administration that doesn't care."

Read More:

Teen rescued after falling into a Queens drain

Eyewitness News - November 19, 2011