A suspect accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx surrendered to authorities after seeing his own image on a wanted flyer, according to police and law enforcement sources.
Abundio Hernandez Cantu, 36, of Yonkers, arrived at the 50th Precinct early Monday after realizing his likeness was being circulated. He confessed to the encounter with the teen, whom he met on an MTA bus, inside the park on June 23, the NYPD and sources confirmed.
Hernandez Cantu faces charges of rape, sexual misconduct, endangering the welfare of a child, and sexual abuse, according to a complaint filed in Bronx Criminal Court. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted supervised release at the request of prosecutors.
Sources stated that Hernandez Cantu and the teen did not know each other prior to the incident. Prosecutors allege that Hernandez Cantu forcibly touched the teen's breasts without consent and committed the rape within the park located at Broadway and West 262nd Street. The encounter reportedly began on the BX9 bus before the alleged assault occurred around 9:45 p.m.
Hernandez Cantu has no prior arrests in New York City, according to police. He is scheduled to reappear in court on July 28. Further investigation into the case is ongoing, according to sources.