A man followed a woman getting off the elevator of her Coney Island apartment building, and grabbed and raped her at gunpoint in a stairwell, and about an hour later, robbed another woman getting off an elevator, also at gunpoint, police say.
Authorities say the man attacked the first victim, a 20-year-old woman, from behind as she got out of the elevator around 9 p.m. Sunday. He showed a gun and forced her into the stairwell, where he raped her and stole her cash and keys.
The suspect then fled down the staircase, authorities say.
The woman was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
About an hour later, the suspect followed a 46-year-old woman getting off the elevator of her building inside the Luna Park Co-Op, showed a gun and took $30 from her purse, police said.
Police released surveillance video from the rape that shows the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Rahi Wilson, walking in the lobby of the building and going into an elevator. The suspect was wearing a black and white skull cap and holding a black bag.
Residents say the building has never felt dangerous.
"It's always felt safe," said Devin Grimm. "Kids play without adults watching them because we all know to watch out for everybody."
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Diana Lalli, who's lived in the building for over 50 years, said she still takes precautions every time she walks in.
"I don't let anyone in behind me if I don't know you," she said. "It does give me great concern."
The building management was not commenting on the incident.
Anyone with information about him is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
