More details this morning on the suspect in the attacks on young women at the LaGuardia Houses.
As we reported over the weekend, police arrested Bronx resident Joseph Quirindongo in connection with two incidents, the most recent of which occurred on April 14th.
He’s been charged with attempted rape, assault and committing a criminal sex act.
…On April 14, Quirindongo, who has a sealed arrest from 2008, followed a 17-year-old girl into an elevator at a building on Clinton and Madison Streets, court papers said. He allegedly told the victim, “If you don’t do what I say, I’ll cut your head off” and held a knife in front of her face. Quirindongo then dragged the girl by the hair into a stairwell and tried to sexually assault her, but she was able to fight him off, court papers said. At his arraignment Saturday, prosecutors said that the suspect allegedly left behind DNA and was spotted on surveillance footage casing both scenes.
The incidents have rattled residents at the Laguardia Houses, located at Clinton and Madison streets:
Krystie Bastieas, of Brooklyn, said that had stopped running convenience store errands at night at the complex, where her boyfriend lives. “For a little bit I felt unsafe,” she said. “My boyfriend was scared for me to go out… I’m definitely relieved. The neighborhood overall isn’t that safe. But the women especially will feel better now.” And Gladys Mercado, 63, a dental assistant said: “Thank god. Its a relief for the whole neighborhood.”
Quirindongo is back in court May 11th.
