176 Banker Street, Credit DNA
We were horrified to hear about the alleged rape that occurred Monday in Greenpoint in broad daylight. Police initially detained two suspects, but have since released them:
Police declined to charge two men detained for raping a woman in a portable restroom Monday afternoon because of “a lot inconsistencies” in the woman’s account, the NYPD said.
The 26-year-old woman told detectives that she was approached about 6 p.m. by two men asking for directions outside of 176 Banker St., on industrial strip of warehouses and storage lots, when they pulled her into a portable bathroom and sexually assaulted her, police said.
She said the suspects then stole her phone and fled, according to the NYPD.
On Tuesday, after two men were detained by police and questioned by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, authorities decided not to arrest the suspects and prosecutors decided not to pursue charges because the woman’s story changed, an NYPD spokesman said.
Still, there were many eyewitnesses who encountered the victim after the alleged attack who are confused by the authoritie’s decision. One local business owner, Robby Collignon who works at ABC Worldwide Stone, was shocked that the suspects were released:
“She was coherent, she was completely hysterical. There was no question about anything. She was very clear. There was no back and forth or hemming or hawing,” he said.
Maria Rizzo, who owns nearby Halcyon Gourmet encountered the victim as well:
“She was distraught. She was shaking, crying, but coherent,” Rizzo recounted. The young woman told them that she was at a concert two blocks away and had left to go find another friend who was lost on the way to the venue.
Clearly something horrible happened and we’re hoping the police continue to investigate. We’ll keep you updated as this story continues to unfold.
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