image Source, Andrew Kelly/Reuters
- Author, Rachel Luker
- Role, BBC News, Washington
Police arrested a man accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in a New York City park after members of the community recognized him, then held him down and bound his legs with a belt until police arrived.
Christian Giovanni Inga-Landi, 25, is charged with rape, robbery, kidnapping, endangering the welfare of a child, weapons possession and sexual abuse.
He is suspected of raping a 13-year-old girl in Kissena Park, Queens, last week. He allegedly threatened the girl and a 13-year-old boy with a knife and then tied their wrists with shoelaces.
The police took Mr Inga-Landi into custody on Tuesday morning.
Residents — at least 10 of whom had seen him in their neighborhoods — identified Mr. Inga-Landi and called 911, New York Police Department Detective Chief Joseph Kenney told reporters during a press conference.
“At that point, the community was trying to hold the offender down until the police arrived,” Mr Kenny said. [Mr Inga-Landi] Fought them off and the community managed to hold him until they got there.”
The suspect was later treated at Elmhurst Hospital for minor injuries he suffered in the struggle.
Police credited community members and crime victims for providing information about the suspect. Officers went door-to-door with surveillance video before making the arrest.
NYPD officers said they learned his name through several tips from Queens residents and found photos on his social media accounts in which he was wearing the same clothing he wore during the alleged crime. They also recognized a distinct tattoo on his chest.
Mr. Inga-Landi is an Ecuadorian citizen who entered the US through Eagle Pass, Texas, in July 2021. He had no prior arrest history in New York City but was detained in Texas for entering the country illegally, Mr. Kenney said.
Police said Mr Inga-Landi said he knew “his time in this country was coming to an end and he would have to leave soon.”
Mr. Kenny said Mr. Inga-Landi told investigators he had a drug problem. Officers said they found the knife he used to threaten two teenagers in the park.
The NYPD offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.