Arrest in Lower East Side sex assaults

LOWER EAST SIDE

They say Joseph Quirindongo, 20, cornered his victims in elevators using a knife to force them into stairwells.

Police released surveillance video from an attack in April.

Investigators believe Quirindongo was also behind a sexual assault in a neighboring building, in January of 2010.

He's charged with attempted rape, assault and other charges.

The first attack happened on January 18, 2010 at approximately 7:30 a.m.

The 19-year-old victim was followed onto an elevator of an apartment building.

Once on the elevator, police say the suspect, armed with a knife, forced the victim out of the elevator and into the stairwell where he sexually assaulted her.

The suspect then fled down the stairs.

The victim was taken to a local hospital where she was treated and released.

Then on Thursday, April 14, 2011 at approximately 10:00 p.m. a 17-year-old victim was followed onto an elevator of an apartment building.

Once on the elevator, police say the suspect, armed with a knife, forced the victim out of the elevator and into a stairwell where he attempted to sexually assault her.

The victim fought off the suspect who then fled the scene.

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