FLATBUSH, BROOKLYN — An 18-year-old Flatbush man — reportedly believed to be an MS-13 gang member — has been arrested after police say he climbed through a second-floor apartment window in Prospect Lefferts Gardens and raped an 11-year-old girl.
Julio Ayala broke into an apartment building near Winthrop Street and Flatbush Avenue around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, police said. He approached the girl as she slept in her bed, allegedly raped her and fled back out through the window.
Police were called when she cried out for her parents.
Police said they were able to identify Ayala with surveillance photo and videos of him walking near Flatbush Avenue and Parkside Avenue, as well as near Ocean Avenue and Church Avenue.
Ayala, of the 100 block of East 21st Street, has been charged with rape, sex motivated burglary, criminal sex act, sexual abuse and act in a manner injurious to a child.
It wasn’t immediately known if he has an attorney.
The New York Post, citing police sources, reported that Ayala is an immigrant from El Salvador who was arrested Saturday afternoon. He had been hiding in a three-story building that was still under construction near Flatbush Avenue and Snyder Avenue. An angry crowd reportedly applauded when he was arrested.
The Post said a top police source said they believe he is a member of the violent MS-13 street gang.
Photo credit: NYPD