BROOKLYN — A man raped an autistic 17-year-old girl in Prospect Park about 1 a.m. Thursday after she became lost while on her way home, an NYPD spokesman said.
Police initially released surveillance video of a 79-year-old suspect — an elderly man walking with a limp — but the man is no longer a person of interest, according to a police spokesman.
The victim said the man in the video was the senior who took her to Brooklyn Methodist Hospital after the assault. After interviewing the man police cleared him as a suspect, NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said Monday.
“He seemed like he was genuinely trying to help her," Boyce said Monday at a news conference. "So right now we’re still in the midst of trying to find out exactly what happened.”
Police are in the process of interviewing the victim, they said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.
