Stapleton residents help apprehend alleged rapist

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Some quick-acting Stapleton residents on Tuesday chased down a 21-year-old man who police allege exposed himself to two women on the street and tried to molest them, said a law enforcement source.

Eddy Aristilde, of Metcalfe Street, was arrested on attempted-rape and other charges stemming from the incidents, which occurred in broad daylight, said a law enforcement source.

According to the source, Aristilde approached the first woman on Targee Street about 1:30 p.m.

As the woman bent over to tend to her young daughter, the suspect exposed himself and grabbed the woman’s arms, said the source.

She screamed and managed to fend off Aristilde.

The suspect ran down the street, where he came upon a 23-year-old woman and her 11-year-old niece, the source said.

Aristilde exposed himself to them and tried to grope the woman, the source said.

She fled and he chased her to a gas station on Targee and Vanderbilt Avenue. Aristilde tackled the woman and tried to pull down her pants, said the source.

She screamed, attracting the attention of several people who came to her aid.

Aristilde bolted but was quickly grabbed and held for cops, said the source.

Police accused the suspect of attempted first-degree rape, acting in a manner injurious to a child and public lewdness, said the source.