FEBRUARY 29, 2000

DNA EVIDENCE LEADS TO BURGLAR'S INDICTMENT IN THREE SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN ROSEDALE AREA

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown announced today the indictment of a burglary suspect for rape in the first degree, sodomy in the first degree, sexual abuse in the first degree, robbery and attempted rape in attacks on three women and a young girl in the Rosedale neighborhood.

District Attorney Brown said, "This is the worst kind of crime, one that leaves women afraid in their own homes and looking over their shoulders as they walk through their own neighborhoods. Hopefully, the filing of these charges will restore a sense of safety to the Rosedale community."

District Attorney Brown said that the defendant, Rodolfo Beach, 31, of 249-11 147th Road, Rosedale was arrested on November 6th on charges of burglary and endangering the welfare of a child when he was chased out of a Rosedale home in the early morning hours after being found in the bedroom of a mother and daughter. The daughter who woke to find a man kneeling by her bed with his pants unbuttoned awakened her mother who pushed the man down and screamed. The mother's brother who lives in the house came to the aid of his sister and niece attacking the defendant with a knife and chasing him out into the street.

According to the District Attorney, Beach was found in the driveway of his home a short distance away. He was arrested and arraigned and held on $250,000 bail. While the defendant was in jail, blood from the wounds inflicted by the uncle was tested and found to match DNA evidence left behind in other Rosedale sexual assault cases.

According to the indictment, in December 1998 the defendant attempted to rape a woman who escaped from him as he tried to push her into her home. The indictment further alleges that in September 1999 the defendant raped and robbed a woman he followed to her home after she left work. Additionally it is alleged that in October 1999 he raped, robbed and sexually abused a third victim. When he demanded money from the victim, she offered him the single dollar she had. It is alleged that the defendant was targetting women coming home from work and attacking them as they approached or entered their homes. He faces more than 75 years in prison if convicted.

District Attorney Brown praised the work of the New York City Police Department including assigned Detective Brian Kenzik along with the team of Detectives Albert Marinelli, Ted Rohros and John McGreevy and Lt. Patrick Mullen and Sgt. Richard Failla of the department's Special Victims Squad and the police officers of the 105th Precinct.

Assistant District Attorney Deborah F. Nathan of District Attorney Brown's Special Victims Bureau, under the supervision of Bureau Chief Marjory D. Fisher and Deputy Chief Kenneth M. Appelbaum and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney Gregory L. Lasak of the Major Crimes Bureau, will prosecute the case.

It is to be noted that an indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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