Man charged in 2 sexual assaults in 2 days at Queens park

FLUSHING, Queens (WABC) -- Police have arrested a suspect in connection with two sexual assaults in as many days in a Queens park.

Authorities say 29-year-old Charles Tobin was taken into custody after officers spotted him drinking from a water fountain in Kissena Park in Flushing.

The first attack took place Tuesday at about 11 p.m. in the park, where a 32-year-old woman was walking when she was approached from behind by a man who produced a knife and demanded money.

The woman retrieved $50 cash from her pocketbook and handed it to the suspect, who then led her to a trail in a wooded section of the park and forced her to perform a criminal sex act before subsequently raping her, police said.

He fled in an unknown direction.

The victim went to Bellevue Hospital, where she was treated and released.

The second incident happened on Wednesday around 11:30 p.m., when police responded to a 911 call made from a local hospital about a sexual assault inside of Kissena Park.

When they arrived, officers were informed by a 17-year-old female that she was walking inside the park when she was approached by a man who produced a knife, forced her into a wooded section and forced her to perform a criminal sexual act.

The man fled towards a pedestrian path.

The victim walked to the local hospital, where the attack was reported.

Tobin is charged with rape, robbery, criminal sex act, sex abuse and criminal possession of a weapon.