Person in custody after woman was choked, raped on Bronx street: sources

THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) — A person of interest was in police custody on Saturday, days after a woman was choked with a belt and raped on a Bronx street, police sources told PIX11 News.

Police previously identified a suspect, Kashaan Parks, 39, in the May 1 attack near 152nd Street and Third Avenue. It was not immediately clear whether Parks was the person in police custody on Saturday.

The 45-year-old woman was walking down the street when a suspect came up from behind and looped the belt around her neck, a viral video shows. The man, who covered his face with a white towel, then used the belt to pull the passed-out woman several feet along the sidewalk and into the street between two parked cars, the video shows. Police said the suspect then raped her.

Investigators believe a possible prostitution deal may have incited the violent assault, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.

Authorities said Parks and the victim knew each other from the neighborhood and the woman identified Parks by a gap in his teeth.

The victim was arrested for petit larceny after the attack but never reported the rape, authorities said. A Bronx police officer recognized the woman in the video, which led to the investigation, Kenny said.

This is a developing story, please check back for updates.