Suspect in kidnapping and sexual assault of 9-year-old girl dies in car accident while fleeing from police

NEW YORK (AP) — A man suspected of kidnapping a 9-year-old girl from a New York supermarket and sexually assaulting her in his car died Friday in a car crash while fleeing police, authorities said.

Officers attempted to stop the 64-year-old suspect's car in Queens early in the afternoon, New York Police Department Deputy Chief Jason Savino said at a press conference.

While police were pursuing him, the driver ran a stop sign and collided with another vehicle. He died in hospital. The driver of the other vehicle suffered minor injuries.

Police said the man approached the girl at the Key Food store on Thursday night while her grandmother was in the restroom.

He ordered the girl to stand in front of him, grabbed her by the hair and “forcibly” led her outside, Savino said. He then pushed the girl into his car, drove a short distance, abused her and left her on the street.

The man, who lives in Queens, had been arrested four times before, most recently for a robbery in 2022. Back then, he also forced a victim into his vehicle, but she managed to escape, police said.