A Ridge man has been indicted for allegedly breaking into a 74-year-old woman’s apartment and raping her. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison.
In the early morning hours of October 24, the elderly victim, who lives alone, was in her Holbrook apartment when she heard a noise coming from inside her bedroom. She went to investigate and observed the suspect, Jawarren Booker, allegedly dressed in all black with only his eyes visible, standing there.
Booker allegedly took her forcibly to her bed and violently raped her. The male then allegedly fled through the same bedroom window he entered after telling the victim not to call the police or tell anyone. The victim made an immediate outcry by seeking the help of her neighbors to call police and was taken to an area hospital for a SANE examination and to treat injuries sustained in the attack.
As part of the investigation, Suffolk County Police responded and collected forensic evidence from the scene.
After Booker was identified as the suspect of the crime, it was discovered that he allegedly fled the jurisdiction and was likely hiding out in New York City. An extensive search ensued, and he was apprehended in the Bronx four days after the attack with the assistance of the New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force.
On November 12, Booker was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis for one count of Burglary in the First Degree and one count of Rape in the First Degree, both Class B violent felonies.
Wilutis ordered Booker remanded during the pendency of the case. Booker is due back in court on November 19 and faces up to 25 years in prison.
“This is an absolutely appalling crime,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “A 74-year-old woman was violated in her own home, a place where she should have been safe. It is infuriating and unacceptable. My thanks go out to the Suffolk County detectives, crime lab, and fugitive investigators who prioritized this case to make sure the alleged offender was quickly apprehended.”