Man Indicted In East Harlem Robbery, Sex Assault At Gunpoint: DA

EAST HARLEM, NY - A Brooklyn man was indicted Thursday after he reportedly robbed a 24-year-old woman and forced her to perform oral sex at gunpoint on an East Harlem street last month, authorities said.

Albert Brown, 34, was charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with predatory sexual assault, robbery and related charges, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. said.

“Albert Brown allegedly preyed on a woman as she walked down the street when he used a firearm to rob her and coerce her into performing a sexual act,” Bragg said in a statement. “These allegations are deeply disturbing, and I thank the prosecutors and staff of our Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Bureau for working tirelessly to seek justice for survivors."

The victim was walking near East 117th Street between Third and Lexington Avenues about 6:30 a.m. on Nov. 1 when Brown, who was wearing a sweatshirt and ski mask, approached her and demanded that she hand over her belongings, authorities said.

Brown then took the victim's cell phone and pulled out a gun from his pocket, threatened her with the firearm and proceeded to sexually assault her, Bragg said. Brown later fled westbound on 118th Street.

He was arrested on Nov. 9 wearing the same clothes from the incident.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of or witness to sexual violence, you are not alone. Safe Horizon is a 24/7 help line for rape crisis and domestic/sexual abuse survivors in New York City and can be reached at 1-800-621-HOPE.

Sex crimes can be reported to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office at (212) 335-9373. Sexual assaults on New York college campuses can be reported to New York State Police at (844) 845-7269.