By Stephen Stirling
A Flushing man was arrested last week after allegedly posing as a police officer to gain entry to an apartment where he is accused of repeatedly raping and robbing a woman inside, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.
The DA said Anthony Lane knocked on the apartment door of a 37-year-old Flushing woman last Thursday morning, displayed a city Sanitation Department shield and said, “Open the door, I'm the police.”
Once inside, Brown said Lane allegedly grabbed the woman by the hair and arm, removed her clothes and raped her. Brown said Lane is charged with raping the woman several times over the course of the day before stealing money from her and fleeing the apartment.
Brown said the victim followed Lane out of the apartment as he ran down the street screaming, “Get out of my way — police.”
Authorities said a neighbor heard the victim's screams and was able to detain the defendant until police from the 109th Precinct arrived and arrested him. Police said they recovered a Sanitation shield, a radio scanner and handcuffs from Lane.
Brown said Lane is not a Sanitation Department employee.
Lane, 35, of 43-50 160th St., was arraigned Friday on a 10-count complaint with three counts of first-degree rape, two counts of first-degree criminal sexual act, one count of second-degree burglary, two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, one count of third-degree robbery and one count of first-degree criminal impersonation, according to the DA.
If convicted, Lane faces up to 25 years in prison.
Lane was taken to Bellevue Hospital Friday where he was held overnight for observation. He was released from the hospital Saturday morning and was arraigned before Queens Criminal Court Judge Dorothy Chin-Brandt, who ordered Lane held on $250,000 bail, the DA said.
Lane will return to court on July 3.
Criminal statistics show the incident marked the eighth alleged rape in the 109th Precinct this year, down from 10 at this time last year, a drop of 20 percent. According to criminal statistics, robberies are up by 30 percent over this time last year, with 129 occurring through June 22, compared with 99 last year.
Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e-mail at Sstirling@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
