New York rape case: Who is Kashaan Parks, the man who strangulated and raped a woman?

A 39-year-old man in New York's Bronx was arrested and taken into custody on Saturday (May 11) after he wrapped a belt around a woman's neck before raping her. This horrific incident happened on May 1. American media reported on Saturday that the police charged Kashaan Parks with rape, strangulation, assault, sexual abuse, public lewdness, and harassment.

The woman, 45, was recovering from the assault, a report by NBC News said. The incident happenednear East 152nd Street and 3rd Avenue around 3 am on May 1. It came just a month after several women took to social mediato share incidents in which they said theywere punchedby men while walking the streets of downtown Manhattan in broad daylight.

The report said that at least two menwere arrestedin connection withthe incidents in downtown Manhattan.

Who is Kashaan Parks?

Kashaan Parks is the suspect in the May 1 strangulation and rape in the Bronx. The video of the incident released by the police showed Parks,wearing a white sheet to cover his face, following the woman and throwing abelt around her neck, causing the 45-year-old to fall.

The woman lost consciousness, and Parks dragged her between two cars. He then raped her before fleeing the spot. The footage of the crime went viral on social media.Addressing a press conference, the police said on Friday that the victim did not report the assault to the authorities.

The police added that they learnt about the crime when they sawthe footage caught on security cameras.

Notthe first timeParks was behind bars

Citing the police, a report by The New York Times on Sunday said that this was not the first timethat Parkshadbeen arrested. Hewas apprehendedtwice-in 2018 for domesticassault, and in 2013 for theft of service in the transit system.

(With inputs from agencies)