What to Know
- A suspect who allegedly lured a young girl into his car last week before raping her at a hotel has turned himself in, police say
- Police released surveillance footage of a heavyset bald man they say they want to question in connection with the sex attack
- The suspect police were searching for turned himself into police with an attorney Thursday, the NYPD said
A suspect who allegedly lured a young girl into his car last week before raping her at a hotel has turned himself in, police say.
Carlos Medina, 51, has been charged with two counts of rape, predatory sexual assault, criminal sex act, criminal impersonation, acting in a manner injurious to a child and two counts of sexual abuse, police said.
Police had released surveillance footage of a heavyset bald man they wanted to question in connection with the sex attack last Friday night on Elder Avenue in the Soundview section of the Bronx.
Police said the suspect approached the 12-year-old girl while in his black SUV and somehow got her to get into his vehicle. Police said he then drove her from Soundview to a hotel in Pelham Bay, where the girl was raped.
After the attack, the girl was taken to a hospital, where she is in stable condition.
Medina turned himself in Thursday with an attorney after police released surveillance footage of him.
Councilman Mark Gjonaj said the Bronx community was in shock.
"Our community is up in arms," he said. "This happened over a week ago and we're just finding out about it now."
Local
Sources said the victim had run away from home and was staying with a friend in New York when she was lured by the man.
"Anyone who messes around with somebody that young has a particular problem," said Arthur Marsh, a resident of Pelham Bay.
