BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A Brooklyn man, 43-year-old Leon Howell, was arrested Thursday after allegedly attempting to rape and rob a woman in broad daylight. The assault took place on Tuesday in Brooklyn Heights.
Police sources indicate that Howell posed as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent before shoving the 51-year-old woman into a stairwell. He attempted to sexually assault her and fled the scene with some of her belongings.
Howell was apprehended by the NYPD’s Special Victims Division and was seen in handcuffs on Thursday. A local resident expressed disbelief, saying, “It’s insane, you know, for something like that to happen.”
Howell has been charged with rape, assault, and burglary. He is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment at a later date.
The victim was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of her injuries.
