A New York City transit worker and former police officer has been convicted of raping a 14-year-old runaway he lured to his apartment.

A Manhattan jury on Wednesday convicted 45-year-old Darrin Nemelc of rape and criminal sexual act. Prosecutors say he saw her sitting on a park bench in Washington Heights and brought her back to his home under the guise of offering her refuge, but instead assaulted her.

Nemelc was a New York City police officer but quit in 1999. He was later employed as a transit worker.

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. says that Nemelc preyed on a troubled girl who was alone in the middle of the night. He says the victim was extraordinarily courageous to come forward and tell the jury her traumatic story.