February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Patrick Markey
A Corona man accused of beating an Irish nursing aide as she made her way home has been indicted on charges of attempted rape and assault in Queens State Supreme Court.
The grand jury handed down the indictment against Luis Vargas last week charging him with first-degree attempted rape and assault in the second degree for the July attack in the Flushing area, according to the Queens district attorney’s office.
The Mayo-born victim was walking home when she was attacked and beaten outside her front door as two neighbors tried to save her from the frenzied assault.
According to the indictment, the victim was walking down the street at around 11 p.m. on July 15 when she noticed that a man was following her for about four blocks as she made her way home.
Prosecutors charge that Vargas then punched the victim around the face and tried to strip and sexual assault her. The attack only ended when two neighbors rushed outside to confront Vargas, according to the indictment.
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Two eyewitnesses alleged saw Vargas get up from the ground and flee the scene as the victim picked herself up off the sidewalk and tried retrieve her clothing.
Doctors said the victim had suffered a fractured jaw, a broken nose and lacerations to her face, legs and arms.
Talking to the Echo soon after the assault, the victim said she is considering returning to Ireland because she no longer feels safe walking the streets.
Vargas is still being held on bail. He is scheduled to appear in court again next month.