According to a police source, the suspect wanted in connection with a sexual attack near Forest Park has been apprehended by the NYPD’s Special Victims Unit.
Women in Woodhaven had been extra cautious on the heels of the early-morning sexual attack and robbery in late September in the woods near Forest Park.
“Woodhaven is not a safe neighborhood,” said a female resident of the area at the time. “The neighborhood used to be beautiful. It seems quiet, but that’s when stuff happens.”
Reports say that the 29-year-old victim had been returning home at 3 a.m. from a hair appointment when the suspect, claiming he was armed, accosted her from behind on Park Lane South and raped her. Before fleeing, he took her wallet, which reportedly contained $30 in cash and bankcards.
On October 28, Carl Wallace, who allegedly has nine prior arrests, was taken into custody and charged with rape.
“It was a crime of opportunity,” said Maria Thomson, executive director of the Woodhaven Business Improvement District (BID) and President of the 102nd Precinct Community Council. “It was very late, and he saw his victim alone.”
A 20-year-old girl in Forest Park with two male friends on a recent Saturday night told The Courier that she had heard about the rapes and generally stays out of parks after dark.
She said she was happy to hear that the suspect had been caught.
“The police department, especially our local precinct [the 102] is doing an excellent job,” said Thomson. “I’m very grateful they caught him – I don’t want people to feel uncomfortable in our parks.”
