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Cop Arrested for Gunpoint Rape in Staten Island Released on Bail

By  Nicholas Rizzi and Alan Neuhauser | August 2, 2012 7:56am | Updated on August 3, 2012 10:53am

STATEN ISLAND — An off-duty NYPD cop who allegedly raped his ex-girlfriend at gun- and knife-point in a Staten Island parking lot that was near a police camera was released on bail Thursday.

Officer Arthur Roldan, 28 — who is assigned to the 78th Precinct, which covers Park Slope and Gowanus — was charged with rape, menacing and assault and faces more than 50 years in prison if convicted.

Roldan is the 10th cop arrested this summer, and the second one to be charged with rape in a year. In August 2011, Michael Pena raped a 25-year-old teacher at gunpoint in an Inwood alley. He was later convicted and sentenced to more than 85 years in prison.

At his arraignment Thursday afternoon, Judge Mario Mattei released Roldan on $20,000 bail.

"The charges are serious," Mattei said. "I'll balance that with his occupation."

There was no discussion about the bail conditions in court because prosecutors and the defense agreed upon it beforehand.

"We feel the bail amount is sufficient to ensure he will appear at subsequent court dates, while it also gives us time to thoroughly investigate this incident and gather all of the facts and evidence before we present them to a grand jury," said Peter Spencer, a spokesman for the district attorney's office.

Roldan, who has been on the force for six years, attacked his ex-girlfriend in a parking lot on Father Capodanno Boulevard, near Lincoln Avenue, in Midland Beach about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to court documents.

About a half a block from the lot, where the suspect and victim were in a car, was an NYPD surveillance camera.

The suspect allegedly held a gun to her head as he raped her, then attacked her a second time while holding a knife to her face, court documents said.

Roldan also allegedly punched the victim in the face.

The suspect came to court accompanied by several male friends and relatives. They left without commenting.

Judge Mattei ordered Roldan, who has been suspended without pay, to stay away from the victim and warned that if he violates that order, his bail will be increased to $200,000.

Roldan's lawyer, Matthew Santamauro, said his client, who is due back in court on Sept. 26, was innocent.