By Courtney Dentch
Kevin White, 34, of 100-36 208th St. faced charges of sodomy, robbery and burglary after detectives linked him to four attacks since Jan. 24 and another in October, police said.
White's alleged weeklong crime spree began Jan. 24 when a 23-year-old woman was attacked on East 92nd Street between Park and Madison avenues in Manhattan, police said. White allegedly approached the woman about 8:50 p.m. and demanded money from her, police said.
When she handed over $20, White allegedly tried to take the woman to another location, but she refused. White then demanded more money, but the woman would not comply and he fled, police said.
Three days later, White followed a 19-year-old woman into her Upper East Side apartment about 4 a.m., police said. Pretending he had a gun, White allegedly steered the woman to an ATM and forced her to withdraw money, police said. He then took her back to her apartment and allegedly sexually assaulted her, police said.
Police said White struck again last Thursday, when he allegedly followed a 25-year-old man into his apartment building, also on the Upper East Side. White allegedly tied the man up and sexually assaulted him, police said. He then took his ATM card and tried to withdraw money, according to authorities. When he was unsuccessful, White allegedly forced the victim to the ATM to get the cash, police said.
The most recent incident occurred Friday at 1 a.m., when White allegedly attacked a 24-year-old woman as she was leaving her Upper East Side apartment, police said. White allegedly pushed the woman to the ground, fondled her and tried to take her purse, police said. When she resisted, White fled, police said.
White is also being charged with a push-in robbery on the Lower East Side in October, police said. He is accused of shoving a man into his apartment and stealing money and property from the victim, police said.
Details on how much money White is suspecting of stealing were unavailable. It was also unclear why he targeted victims on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
White was arrested in Union City, N.J., at an address where he was believed to be staying, police said. His official address was still listed as Hollis, where White grew up, police said.
White's criminal record goes back to at least January 1990, police said. White was convicted 25 times between then and November 2002 on a variety of charges, including weapons possession, fare evasion, possession and sale of marijuana, petit larceny, assault, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. It was unclear whether any of these crimes were committed in Queens or if he served prison time for them.
Reach reporter Courtney Dentch by e-mail at news@timesledger.com, or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
