NEW YORK — Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Friday that a Manhattan man has been indicted for allegedly raping a 69-year-old woman, assaulting another woman and committing other crimes, including robbery and burglary, at a Jamaican storage facility.
Charles Rowe, 56, of West 110th Street, was indicted by a grand jury and arraigned Friday on charges of predatory sexual assault, rape in the first degree, criminal sexual act in the first degree, sexual assault in the first degree, robbery in third degree, petty theft, robbery in the first and second degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.
“We allege this man is a cold-blooded predator who subjected two women to horrific violence and damaged and robbed a local business,” District Attorney Katz said. “He will have to be held accountable.”
On the night of March 13, Rowe grabbed a woman as she was leaving her storage unit in 168-11 Douglas AvenueHe pointed a knife at her and threatened to kill her. He took her to a bathroom in her storage facility, sexually assaulted and raped her before running away from her. The victim was taken to the hospital where she was administered a sexual assault testing kit.
On April 25, Rowe returned to the same storage facility late at night and entered a woman’s storage unit where she began searching her property. When the 61-year-old demurred, Rowe said: “Let’s not turn this into murder.”
He wrestled with Rowe, who had a metal object in his hand which he used to slash his neck and chest. He beat the woman and threatened to kill her if she told anyone. Rowe fled with property belonging to the woman. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Several hours later, in the early hours of April 26, video surveillance footage showed Rowe, at the same storage facility, opened a door and removed it from its hinges. He was seen on the video leaving the venue with a shopping cart that he did not have when he entered.
On May 6, the DNA evidence in the sex crimes evidence kit collected from the victim of the March 13 incident was compared to a DNA profile of Rowe. He was arrested on May 13.
Queens Chief Justice Michael Yavinsky ordered Rowe back in court on July 18. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
