A man with a history of 16 prior arrests has been charged in connection with the attempted rape of an 83-year-old woman in her Upper Manhattan apartment, according to the New York Post.
Yahiness Holden, 33, was arrested in Queens on Sunday and faces charges including attempted rape, assault, burglary, stalking, and attempted sexual abuse. The incident occurred on October 26 at an apartment building on Vermilyea Avenue and West 204th Street.
Police said Holden followed the elderly victim into her building shortly before 9 a.m. on the day of the attack. Once she reached her apartment, he exposed himself and made sexual advances. The victim reportedly struggled with the assailant, who was unsuccessful in entering her apartment and fled the scene on foot.
The woman sustained minor injuries and received treatment. Authorities identified Holden as the suspect after he was observed taking up excessive space on a Queens subway train. During questioning, police recognized him from surveillance footage related to the attempted rape.
According to police and law enforcement sources, Holden's previous arrests include charges for forcible touching and weapons possession. He is currently awaiting arraignment.
The New York Post also noted that despite a general decrease in major crimes in the city, rape statistics have shown a slight increase, with 1,774 reported cases through November 1, a 2% rise from the same period the previous year.