New Windsor police arrested the man after what they describe as an attempted abduction along Route 300 in Vails Gate Junction.
"The woman reported that the man had confronted her, was armed with a knife, and he threatened to kill her," Deputy police chief Richard Hovey said. "At the same time, he grabbed her by the arm, threatened to use force on her, at which time she began to scream and yell. And she was able to get away."
Police quickly began a search and finally arrested the suspect a short time later. They then began trying to connect the man to the previous attack.
"The investigation, the interview so far, we are very sure that he is the same individual who committed the abduction and rape of a woman from Middletown several days," New York state police captain Wayne Olsen said.
That victim was carjacked at knife-point near a Blockbuster Video in Wallkill.
A preliminary sketch was released of the suspect, described as a 40- to 45-year-old Hispanic or light-skinned black man.
In the previous attack, the suspect reportedly forced the woman to drive to a secluded area, where he sexually assaulted her. After stealing money from her, he dropped her along Route 207 in New Windsor.
The break in the case came with the most recent attempted abduction.
"I think it's safe to say that his criminal conduct is over at this point," Hovey said.
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STORY BY: Eyewitness News reporter Tim Fleischer
WEB PRODUCED BY: Bill King
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