The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Terrell Green of the Bronx, walked into the business at 37th Avenue and Main Street in Flushing on Saturday afternoon and asked for a foot massage.
Police say once the man was inside the massage room, he pinned the female employee against the bed and raped her.
Investigators say he then stole her phone but dropped it as he fled.
Doctors treated the 56-year-old victim, who speaks only Chinese, at the hospital.
Friends say she opened the spa about a year ago in order to support herself
"She come to my store shopping last wee...and this happened, situation on Saturday happened," friend Sarah Kui said. "So I was shocked because I know her...I don't talk to her that often but she sometimes hanging around downstairs in the basement with other friends."
Green is charged with rape, robbery, burglary and grand larceny.
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