Another attempted rape as cops quiz teen

BY TONIA N. CIMINO

Wednesday, August 20, 2008 4:22 PM EDT

Despite cops having “a person of interest” in the slew of sexual assaults in southeast Queens, there was reportedly another attempted attack in the early morning hours of Wednesday, August 20.

It happened in the vicinity of 168th Street and Hillside Avenue in Jamaica.

It is still unclear whether this latest incident is tied to the 14 other sexual assaults that have taken place in the area since last November.

According to a police source, cops are “speaking to” the male, who is reportedly a 15-year-old. He has not been charged, according to the police, who could not release any more information because the investigation is ongoing.

A victim, allegedly raped on July 26, reportedly thought the male to be her attacker on Monday, August 18. She spotted him on Merrick and Farmers Boulevards. He was reportedly later brought to the 113th Precinct.

The NYPD recently created a dedicated task force to apprehend a pair of rapists responsible for more than a dozen attacks in the area.

Thirteen cops will report directly to Chief Thomas V. Dale, head of Patrol Borough Queens South, and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, according to Councilmember Leroy Comrie.

In the meantime, police are urging that everyone be aware and that anyone with information call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS.