Ridge man nabbed in Bronx for raping 74-year-old in Holbrook home

Suffolk County Police announced the arrest of a Ridge man Wednesday in connection with the brutal sexual assault Friday of a 74-year-old Holbrook woman in her apartment.

Jawaran Booker, 29, faces first-degree rape and first-degree burglary charges following his arrest Tuesday morning. He was jailed overnight by Suffolk Police and is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday at Suffolk’s First District Court in Central Islip.

“Certain crimes shock the conscience and cause you to question your faith in humanity,” Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said. “Unfortunately, last Friday one of those crimes occurred.”

Catalina noted that detectives worked around the clock over the weekend to investigate the case.

“When something like this happens, everybody recognizes the importance of it, the severity of it, and they also recognize that until this individual is brought to justice and taken off the street, members of Suffolk County cannot rest easy,” he said.

“To the victim in this case, on behalf of the entire Suffolk County Police Department, I want to say how sorry we are for what you had to endure and thank you for your strength and courage throughout this investigation,” Catalina added.

Detectives said Booker entered the woman’s residence through a window between 6:15 a.m. and 7:15 a.m. on Friday and physically and sexually assaulted the woman before fleeing. The victim called 911 and was taken to a hospital.

“This is unconscionable and will not be tolerated,” he said. “We’re sending a very strong message: no matter where you flee, if you commit a crime of this nature anywhere in Suffolk, we will find you.

“We will track you down and bring you to justice,” he added.

_{Top photos: (inset) Jawaran Booker, via SCPD.}