Photo Courtesy of NYPD
“The video surveillance that captured this defendant was crucial in locating his whereabouts,” DA Katz said.
By Michael V. Cusenza
A South Ozone Park man has been charged with raping a woman at knifepoint earlier this month inside the Richmond Hill spa in which she is employed as a masseuse, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Thursday.
Luchiano Crooks, 26, was arraigned on a complaint charging him with first-degree rape, first-degree robbery, and criminal sex act in the first degree. Bail was set at $100,000 bond/$50,000 cash/$500,000 partially secured bond.
According to the complaint, on Monday, Feb. 17, at approximately 4:50 p.m., Crooks entered the Vivi Massage Spa at 134-10 Jamaica Ave. and asked for a massage. He was told to go to room #2 by the staff. When the victim, a 45-year-old female masseuse, entered room #2, Crooks allegedly displayed a knife and demanded money. The victim turned over $100 in cash to him and then Crooks allegedly raped her at knifepoint before fleeing the scene.
“Thankfully the video surveillance that captured this defendant was crucial in locating his whereabouts,” Katz said. “This alleged culprit has now been apprehended and will be prosecuted for raping this unsuspecting woman.”
It seems that Crooks has a history of violence toward women. Eight years ago, when he was just 18, Crooks pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual abuse, a felony defined as touching of the sexual or intimate parts of another person for sexual gratification without that person’s consent. According to court records, Crooks got 10 years’ probation and agreed to abide by a final order of protection for 8 years.
If convicted of the Feb. 17 attack, Crooks faces up to 25 years in prison.
