Posted on May 16, 2022

Suspect in Armed Elevator Rape Is Level 3 Sex Offender Who Spent 16 Years in Jail and Just Got Out

Amanda Woods et al., New York Post, May 12, 2022

A recently paroled high-risk sex offender was arrested Thursday in connection to the brutal, knifepoint rape of a woman in a Bronx elevator this week, cops said Thursday.

Level 3 offender Ramon Rotestan — who had been let out just six weeks ago after 16 years in jail — turned himself in around 8:30 p.m. at the 49th Precinct, police said.

Ramon Rotestan

Ramon Rotestan

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The attacker stalked the victim as she entered the elevator, displayed a knife and barked “‘this is a robbery, don’t do anything stupid,’”cops and prosecutors said.

He then ordered her to “turn around” and “face the elevator” wall before allegedly raping her, prosecutors said. He also snatched $112 from the victim, police said.

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He has two prior arrests for rape — one on Dec. 11, 2005, and one from Feb. 2, 2006 — and one previous bust for attempted rape on Feb. 28, 2006, according to police sources.

In each of those cases, he was armed with a knife, approached his victim in an elevator, and robbed her, the sources said.

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“Our most violent prisoners are continuously being released despite being a danger to the community, all for a second chance,” a police source said. “We’re doing a disservice to the community and almost being complicit in their next crime.”