Girl's screams scare off attacker in Mastic Beach, police say

A screaming teenager in Mastic Beach scared off a sexual predator who crawled through a bedroom window, Suffolk police said Saturday.

The suspect had tried to "forcibly engage in a criminal sex act" with the girl, 16, at about 5:05 a.m., police said. He ran off when the girl yelled and he realized her mother was home, said Det. Sgt. William Bundrick of the Second Squad detectives.

"He decided, 'I better get out of here' and he flees out the door," Bundrick said.

The suspect was identified as Darnell McCray, 22, and arrested about five hours later.

The girl identified him through photographs. Police were able to narrow down potential suspects based on the girl's description of the attacker's height - the suspect is about 6-foot-5 - and the fact he wears glasses, Bundrick said.

"He's a very tall individual," Bundrick said.

A previous sex charge, the details of which weren't available, is pending against McCray, Bundrick said.

The girl, whose identity and address weren't released, was watching television at the time of the attack, police said. She didn't know the attacker, they said.

McCray, a handyman, lives at 84 Montauk Dr. in Mastic Beach. He was charged with felony attempted criminal sexual act and burglary and will be arraigned Sunday at First District Court in Central Islip.

Under the law, a burglary occurs when someone enters a building, or stays there illegally, with the intention of committing a crime.