Queens, NY – Michael Rispers was indicted by a grand jury and arraigned on attempted rape, burglary, assault and other charges stemming from an armed home invasion. Rispers allegedly unlawfully entered a home in Jamaica, Queens, and violently attacked a female resident. Upon hearing her screams, a male family member interrupted the assault. Rispers allegedly then threatened the male family member with a sharp metal object and fled with cash stolen from the bedroom of a third family member.
District Attorney Katz said: “The reign of terror allegedly perpetrated by this defendant will not go unanswered. We fully expect to be safe in our own homes. That sense of security was violated for the three occupants of the home allegedly assaulted by the defendant, who faces a lengthy prison term if convicted.”
Rispers, 36, of East Elmhurst, Queens, was arraigned yesterday on a 13-count indictment charging him with two counts of burglary in the first degree, two counts of robbery in the first degree, attempted rape in the first degree, assault in the second degree, strangulation in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, attempted sexual abuse in the first degree, grand larceny in the fourth degree, criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree and two counts of menacing in the second degree.
If convicted, the defendant faces up to 25 years in prison. Judge Michael Yavinsky ordered the defendant to return to court on February 21, 2023.
According to the charges, on July 25, at approximately 8:20 am, Rispers allegedly unlawfully entered a home on 144th Place in Jamaica, walked into the bedroom of a 58-year-old female resident, and proceeded to punch and strangle her while demanding money. The criminal complaint stipulates that the defendant brandished a sharp metal object and, during the struggle that ensued, inflicted lacerations to the victim’s arms. Rispers then allegedly threw the woman down, unzipped his pants, and attempted to forcibly remove items of her clothing.
Continuing, DA Katz said a male family member heard the victim’s screams and kicked in the door, interrupting the attack. Court records show that the defendant threatened the male with a sharp metal object and demanded money. Rispers then allegedly proceeded to grab a wallet from the bedroom of a third family member before fleeing.
The defendant was apprehended by police near the home shortly after the incident. A wallet containing the third victim’s identification, cash and credit cards was recovered from Rispers at the time of arrest.
There is no indication that the defendant knew any of the victims prior to the attack.
Assistant District Attorney Sean K. Jaime, of the District Attorney’s Special Victims Bureau, is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Eric C. Rosenbaum, Bureau Chief, Debra Pomodore and Brian Hughes, Deputy Chiefs, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Daniel A. Saunders.
QDAO
News by Breaking911
