May 13, 2019 By Laura Hanrahan
A Brooklyn man has been placed under arrest after trying to lure two young girls into his car and fondling himself in front of them in two separate incidents in Corona and Flushing, the Queens District Attorney announced on Friday.
On April 4, just before 3 p.m., Eddie Rodriguez, a 42-year-old resident of Crown Heights, allegedly drove up to a 14-year-old girl who was walking near 156th Street and 43rd Avenue in Flushing. He allegedly asked to use the girl’s phone and when she approached the car to try to help him, he snatched the phone from her hands.
When she tried to get her phone back, Rodriguez allegedly began stroking his exposed penis and told her, in sum and substance, “when I finish.” He then allegedly continued touching himself and eventually returned the phone to the teenage girl.
One month later, on May 6, around 6:30 p.m., Rodriguez allegedly pulled up next to a 12-year-old girl walking along Van Cleef Street in Corona and began asking the girl for directions to a nearby hospital. The young girl alleges that Rodriguez told her that his phone did not work and asked to borrow hers.
The young victim reported that she handed over her phone at which point Rodriguez told her to get in the car, to which she refused. As the girl got her phone back, Rodriguez allegedly began manipulating his exposed penis in front of her.
Rodríguez was placed under arrest three days later, after pictures of his vehicle, a grey Nissan, were circulated in the media.
“Every single person – especially children – should feel safe and secure walking alone in our neighborhoods,” said Acting Queens District Attorney John M. Ryan. “But the defendant in this case is alleged to have pursued the girls in his car, asked for directions all while fondling his exposed genitals. This kind of lewd and abhorrent behavior is unacceptable and caused the youngsters real fear. The defendant is in custody and faces jail time for his alleged deviant actions.”
Rodriguez has been charged with stalking, luring a child to commit a crime, acting in a manner injurious to a child, public lewdness and harassment. He faces up to a year in jail if convicted.
If anyone believes that this individual is connected to any other sex crime they are asked to call 212-267-RAPE (7273.)
One Comment
Never EVER approach anyone in a car when you are outside just minding your business and they ask you to “come here” !!!
Next time, go to a store and let the store help him.