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Rape suspect arraigned is a Bensonhurst man

June 9, 2011 Heather Chin

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Bensonhurst resident William Giraldo was arraigned at BrooklynCriminal Court on Thursday morning and charged with rape, robbery,assault, sex abuse and sexual misconduct for the attack on a28-year-old woman in Sunset Park.

The June 4 rape was one of four sex attacks on women in ParkSlope, Sunset Park and Bay Ridge in the last three months.

The 24-year-old livery cab driver was taken to Rikers Island onThursday, June 9 – what would have been his wedding day. His fiancéstayed by his side during the arraignment, where Giraldo maintainedhis innocence.

My concern is, frankly, that there’s still a rapist out there,said Giraldo’s lawyer, Heriberto Cabrera, to the DailyNews

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) released video of thesuspected rapist on Monday evening. The next morning, Giraldowalked into the 66 Precinct stationhouse, telling police that whilehe was the man in the video, he didn’t have anything to do withthe crimes.

Although the victim of the rape identified him in a line-up, thethree other victims did not.

The NYPD is still seeking the public’s assistance in identifyingthe individual wanted for three attempted rapes in Sunset Park andBay Ridge. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male between 25and 30 years of age, approximately 5’7 and weighing around 165pounds.

The first incident occurred on March 20 at around 11:30 p.m.,when a 24-year-old woman was approached from behind by the suspect,who pushed her to the ground and attempted to rape her on 16thStreet, near Fourth Avenue. The woman was able to break free andfled, with minor injuries.

The next two attempted rapes occurred on May 3 along RidgeBoulevard in Bay Ridge and May 29 near 55th Street in Sunset Park,also at around 10:30 and 11:30 p.m.. In both cases, the 32-year-oldwoman and 20-year-old woman were approached from behind, pushed tothe ground and assaulted. During the May 3 incident, the woman wasthreatened with a knife and pushed towards a driveway. Both womenresisted and the suspect fled.

Anyone with information on the cases is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS, or text CRIMES and then enter TIP577,or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.