By Sarina Trangle
Police arrested two men and charged them with attempting to rape a woman in Ridgewood, the NYPD said.
The Police Department said Franclin Velazquez, 21, and Jorge Maldonado, 28, were cuffed Friday and charged with attempted rape and sexual abuse. Maldonado, a Bronx resident, was also charged with assault, according to the NYPD.
Police had released surveillance images of the suspects wanted in the attack on an 18-year-old woman near Putnam and Seneca avenues around 2:50 a.m. July 16.
The NYPD said Velazquez, a Brooklyn resident, allegedly punched the victim in the head while Maldonado allegedly choked her and covered her mouth with his hand.
Police said Maldonado unsuccessfully tried to steal the woman’s pocketbook while Velazquez allegedly began sexually assaulting her.
The men ran off when a passerby approached, according to cops.
The woman was taken to Woodhull Hospital for treatment and has since been released, the NYPD said.
Reach reporter Sarina Trangle at 718-260-4546 or by e-mail at strangle@cnglocal.com.
