Police have arrested the man believed to be responsible for a sexual assault in Woodhaven last Tuesday.
Woodhaven resident Kevin Pazmini, 21, is charged with sexual assault and rape. He was arrested at his home on 86th Avenue, several blocks away from the crime scene.
According to reports, a 35-year-old Woodhaven woman was walking to work on 89th Street near Jamaica Avenue last Tuesday morning when she was attacked from behind and dragged to a nearby alley where she was beaten, raped and robbed.
A nearby surveillance camera showed the suspect walking down the street, which helped police identify and arrest Pazmini.
Ed Wendell, president of the Woodhaven Residents Block Association, led a group of volunteers posting fliers with Pazmini’s photo and a description of the crime along Jamaica Avenue last week. He said the surveillance footage was instrumental and business owners should be encouraged to install and use cameras.
“This really demonstrates the need for more cameras on Jamaica Avenue and throughout the community,” Wendell said. “Without that clear image, he’s sitting at home.”
Tracey Gallagher, a local Woodhaven resident, helped alert the community by creating a Facebook page and posting fliers.
“My heart broke for her,” Gallagher said. “It’s terrifying thinking someone like that is in the neighborhood. Hopefully, the woman now can have some comfort that he’s off the street.”
Gallagher said the one positive to come out of the crime was seeing how much the community cared and rallied together to help find and identify the suspect.
According to police, Pazmini confessed to his crimes. He previously had been charged last year for an alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl and is a registered sex offender.
Wendell praised the 102nd Precinct’s expedient work catching Pazmini. When asked if he felt the rape was a dangerous sign of Woodhaven’s rising crime levels, Wendell said he felt the neighborhood was safer than ever.
“I know [police statistics] aren’t always reliable, but if you compare now to the 10 years ago, the 1990s weren’t a paradise. There’s actually been a good improvement,” Wendell said.
He said increased media presence and social media brings heightened attention to stories, which startles and frightens residents.
“But the reason it gets so much attention is because it’s the exception to the rule because we’re a safe neighborhood,” Wendell said.
He noted that there have been increases in smaller crimes including graffiti and car theft, but said the 102nd Precinct was doing the best it could to listen to the community’s concerns and fix problems, especially considering a dwindling police force.
“They do a remarkable job given their resources,” Wendell said.
by Eric Yun
