Suspect in Long Island robbery linked to kidnapping, sex assault

AMITYVILLE, Long Island (WABC) -- An Amityville man charged earlier this month in a robbery case was arrested in connection with an unrelated kidnapping and sex assault in December.

Police said evidence collected from 24-year-old LeVar Burton in a March 12 arrest showed links to the Dec. 27 attack. In that incident, a 21-year-old woman was kidnapped at gunpoint at 4 a.m. on Terminal Road in West Hempstead, driven to another place, tied up with duct tape and sexually assaulted.

Burton is now facing first-degree sexual abuse charges in that case.

In the more recent crime, a woman was robbed at knifepoint at about 4:15 a.m. March 7 in Great Neck, police said. The suspect is accused of coming from behind, covering her mouth, brandishing a knife and demanding money.

After the woman told the man she had no money, police said he took two cell phones and other items, then touched her inappropriately. Burton is charged with first-degree robbery and first-degree sexual abuse.

Burton's family said nothing in court Tuesday, but his attorney insists he's being framed.

"Everything has been a big mistake," defense attorney Sam Rieff said. "So we're going to look forward to a day in court when we can establish everything that really did happen."

Police, meanwhile, are concerned that there may be other victims.

"LeVar Burton committed heinous and disturbing acts towards these women," Nassau County Police Detective Lieutenant Richard LeBrun said. "I implore and I encourage all women to please come forward if they had any encounter with this defendant, LeVar Burton, or if any type of similarities occurred with another individual."

Authorities say that Burton worked for a newspaper delivery company and frequented the different communities.