Residents of a New York City neighborhood played a crucial role in the arrest of Christian Geovanny Inga-Landi, a 25-year-old Ecuadorian accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in Queens. The incident, which occurred at Kissena Park, involved Inga-Landi allegedly using a machete to accost the girl and a 13-year-old boy who was with her.
Community members in Corona, Queens, detained Inga-Landi until the police arrived, despite his attempts to escape. The New York Police Department Commissioner Edward A. Caban described the rape as shocking the entire city, emphasizing the unity in seeking justice for the victim and her family.
Inga-Landi confessed to the crime, attributing it to a drug problem and claiming it was his first offense. He faces multiple charges, including rape, sex abuse, robbery, and endangering the welfare of a child, with a potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison if convicted.
During his court appearance, Inga-Landi remained silent, with visible scratches on his face, as the judge ordered him held without bail until his next hearing on July 1. The Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz commended the victims for providing crucial details to the police, leading to Inga-Landi's arrest.
Local residents, including a landlord who had interacted with the suspect earlier, provided vital information to the police, aiding in the citywide manhunt. The community's swift response and cooperation were instrumental in identifying and capturing Inga-Landi, ensuring he could not escape until law enforcement arrived.
Angela Sauretti, one of the residents involved in the arrest, described how community members prevented Inga-Landi from fleeing, highlighting the collective effort to apprehend the suspect. Inga-Landi's arrest marked the culmination of an intense investigation and collaboration between law enforcement and the community.
