By Carla Zanoni
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS — A 23-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting a woman in her apartment building pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Wednesday.
Ray Diaz of Centre Mall, Brooklyn, was arrested on charges of predatory sexual assault, committing a criminal sexual act and robbery for a June 11 incident on Broadway near 192nd Street, according to court documents.
Diaz is accused of sexually assaulting a 37-year-old woman and robbing her on the eighth floor of her apartment building, according to police.
Diaz told police he had visited the building that day and had sexual relations with a woman whose name he did not know, according to court documents.
He is being held on $250,000 bail after his arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court.
The incident was one of four sexual assaults that took place over the same weekend. Three other women were assaulted on the Upper West Side, Washington Heights and Inwood, sparking fear in the neighborhoods.
Residents have since gathered at events organized by at least three groups hoping to empower locals to feel comfortable at all hours.
