QUEENS — Two men punched and tried to rape an 18-year-old girl in Ridgewood, but were scared off when a passerby intervened Wednesday morning, police said.
Franclin Velazquez, 21, and Jorge Maldonado, 28, allegedly attacked the girl from behind as she was walking near Putnam and Seneca avenues just before 3 a.m. Both were arrested Friday afternoon.
Velazquez punched her in the head as Maldonado covered her mouth and choked her, the NYPD said.
Then Velazquez began sexually assaulting the girl while Maldonado tried to pry away her purse, but she managed to hold on to it, police said.
Finally, a passerby approached them, prompting the attackers to flee, the NYPD said.
The girl was taken to Woodhull hospital, treated and released, police said.
Both men were charged with attempted rape and sexual abuse, police said.