An illegal immigrant from Turkey stands accused of raping a 15-year-old runaway teen in New York in May but local police didn’t notify the public, according to a news report Wednesday.
The Albany Times-Union identified the migrant as Sakir Akkan, saying he was nabbed by Border Patrol agents late last year after he snuck from Mexico into California. He made his way to New York and is now charged with raping the teen on May 14.
The girl told police he drove up to her in a silver Toyota Prius, got out and threatened to beat her with a metal rod if she didn’t get into the car. She said he drove to another location and raped her.
The Times-Union said she had defensive scratches on her legs after the incident. The newspaper said police have camera footage that corroborates the seemingly random approach and her being driven off.
He was arrested in the Albany area on June 18. The girl identified him through a photo lineup.
“Interviews with multiple people familiar with the investigation, and also information gleaned from police reports and court records, raises questions about why Albany police did not issue a news release or warn the public after the young girl was abducted as she walked on New Scotland Avenue in what appears to have been a random attack,” the newspaper reported.
The newspaper said police rejected a notion that Mr. Akkan’s immigration status delayed their notification to the public.
A police spokeswoman told the newspaper they didn’t feel a need to issue an immediate alert.
“It was determined that there was no immediate threat to public safety during that time. Had there been a perceived threat to the public, appropriate information would have been released,” the spokeswoman said.
New York court records show Mr. Akkan is charged with one count of first-degree rape. He has entered a plea of not guilty.
He was ordered held without bail.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
The Times-Union reported that Mr. Akkan is seeking asylum.
The Washington Times has reached out to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for this story.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.