GRAND JURY CHARGES 52 YEAR OLD MAN WITH ASSAULT AND OTHER OFFENSES FOR ALLEGEDLY ATTACKING TWO YOUNG GIRLS WHO WERE TRAPPED WITH HIM IN AN ELEVATOR

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 52 year old Bronx man has been indicted for allegedly assaulting and attempting to rob a ten year old girl and her nine year old sister after cornering them in an elevator.

Harry Brooks, of 2010 Bruckner Boulevard, was charged in a twelve count indictment with Assault in the 2nd and 3rd degrees, Attempted robbery in the 2nd and 3rd degrees, Endangering the welfare of a child and Unlawful imprisonment. Brooks has been charged with two counts on each offense, one for each of the two victims. He is facing a maximum sentence of up to fourteen years imprisonment if convicted on all counts of the most serious charges of Assault in the 2nd degree and Attempted robbery in the 2nd degree which are Class D felony offenses. He has been charged with one count of each offense for each of the two young victims.

It is alleged that, on August 5, 2002, the Brooks followed the two young girls into an elevator in their apartment building and prevented them from leaving the elevator after demanding money. Brooks is also accused of hitting the girls "on or about the face and body with his hands" causing the victims to suffer bruises and substantial pain.

Brooks is being held without bail and is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment in State Supreme Court, Part "A" on Monday, September 9, 2002.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Astrid Borgstedt of the Domestic Violence / Sex Offense Bureau.