3 arrested in brutal serial rape, robbery spree in Manhattan, Bronx

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Three men have been arrested in connection with a series of brutal rapes in New York City in which the attackers met women online.

Police arrested 31-year-old Isaiah Rivera and 26-year-old Joey Cruz late Sunday night. A third man was also arrested Friday but police have not yet released his name.

According to police, the men were involved with at least three separate attacks in Manhattan and in the Bronx. The victims met the men via the website backpage.com.

The first attack happened June 28 at about 11:50 p.m. Police said a 20-year-old woman made arrangements to meet one of the men on East 138th Street in the South Bronx. The three men showed up, forced the woman to go up to the roof where they raped her and took her money. The woman was taken to the hospital where she was treated and released.

The second incident happened Aug. 3 at about 4:25 p.m. Police said a 34-year-old woman made arrangements to meet one of the men at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on East 42nd Street in Manhattan. When the man arrived in the hotel room, he sprayed the woman in the face with a liquid substance and threw her onto the bed, according to police. The two other men then came into the room where they tied the woman up and raped her. They stole her cellphone and pocketbook. The woman was taken to the hospital where she was treated and released.

The third incident happened the next night, Aug. 4 at about 10:40 p.m. Police said a 32-year-old woman made arrangements to meet one of the men at her apartment on Lexington Avenue in the Gramercy Park section of Manhattan. When the man arrived at the apartment, he pepper-sprayed the woman and threw her onto the bed. The two other men came into the apartment and tied up the woman and all three raped her. They stole her cellphone, laptop and bracelet. The woman was taken the hospital where she was treated and released.

Charges in the case are pending.