Parolee Rapes NYC Woman Weeks After Prison Release, Police Say
A 42-year-old man identified as Nicholas Dejesus allegedly threatened to kill his victim and fled the scene before being arrested about 12 hours later; he faces rape-related charges.
A 42-year-old parolee is accused of raping a 33-year-old woman on a Bronx street early Tuesday, weeks after his release from state prison, authorities said.
Police said Nicholas Dejesus grabbed the victim's neck from behind on Broadway near West 230th Street in Kingsbridge at about 5:30 a.m., telling her, “Give it to me or I’ll kill you.” He punched her repeatedly as she resisted, then forced himself on her and walked with her southbound on Broadway as she tried to escape. The victim managed to flee into a Dunkin’ Donuts, where workers called 911. First responders rushed her to a local hospital, where she was treated for multiple cuts on her mouth and cheek. Dejesus fled the scene and was arrested roughly 12 hours later on charges that include rape, sexual abuse, assault and harassment. His arraignment in Bronx Criminal Court was pending Wednesday afternoon.
Online corrections records show Dejesus was released on parole from state prison in July after serving more than nine years for a second-degree robbery conviction. His parole is set to expire in 2030. He has a history of robberies, with three prior robbery arrests dating back to 2002, including April 2012 in Brooklyn and September 2011 in Queens, according to the sources. He was also arrested in March 2010 for a Brooklyn assault, and about a year later on a prison contraband charge, the sources said.
Dejesus’ case underscores ongoing concerns about recidivism and the risks faced by individuals in high-crime neighborhoods during early morning hours. Investigators continue to review surveillance footage and to corroborate the victim’s account, though officials have not released further details about potential additional charges or related cases tied to the suspect.
The police did not publicly release additional information about the investigation as of this writing. Community members have called for heightened attention to safety in the Kingsbridge area, especially for pedestrians navigating late-night and early-morning routes. Authorities said the investigation remains active and that detectives are pursuing leads to determine if there were other victims or incidents connected to the suspect. No additional updates were provided about potential court appearances or preliminary hearings.
