NYC sicko, 63, who allegedly raped boy, 14, in broad daylight has 2 terrifying prior busts targeting strangers: cops

A disturbing incident unfolded in Queens last week, as a 63-year-old man allegedly raped a 14-year-old boy in broad daylight after promising him a potential construction job. Virgilio Taveras, the accused perpetrator, has a troubling history with the law, including two prior arrests for targeting strangers in the same borough.

Taveras’ first encounter with law enforcement occurred on June 7, 2013, when he allegedly menaced a woman with a bat on Roosevelt Avenue. He was arrested and charged with menacing, criminal possession of a weapon, harassment, and disorderly conduct. Then, on July 7, 2018, Taveras reportedly punched a 19-year-old man he did not know and choked him until he lost consciousness. He was charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and misdemeanor assault in that incident.

The outcome of these arrests remains unclear, as the Queens District Attorney’s Office stated that no information is publicly available on those cases. In the most recent and alarming incident, Taveras approached the 14-year-old victim on the street, offered him a job in construction, and then assaulted him after luring him into his car.

Following the arrest for rape, the NYPD is investigating whether Taveras may have other victims. The police have released Taveras’ mugshot and images of the car he used in hopes of encouraging any additional victims to come forward. Anyone with information is urged to contact the NYPD’s Sex Crimes Hotline or Crime Stoppers Hotline.

Taveras was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court on charges of second-degree rape, luring a child, forcible touching, endangering the welfare of a child, and third-degree sexual abuse. He was ordered held on $20,000 cash bail or $60,000 bond as the legal process unfolds. This disturbing case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and reporting suspicious behavior to authorities.