Ecuadorian immigrant Christian Geovanny Inga-Landi, who crossed the US-Mexico border in 2021, was arrested for the brutal rape and kidnapping of two teens in Queens, New York, following a five-day manhunt.

Ecuadorian immigrant Christian Geovanny Inga-Landi, who had been ordered for deportation in February 2022 and had a history of minor offenses, is now accused of a much graver crime. He allegedly assaulted a 13-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy in Kissena Park using a machete-style blade, prompting a swift and intense manhunt that ended with his capture by community members. Inga-Landi faces multiple felony charges, including rape and kidnapping. This incident not only highlights severe lapses in the immigration system but also raises pressing questions about community safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement in preventing such horrific attacks.

Christian Geovanny Inga-Landi had previously crossed the US-Mexico border on June 25, 2021, accompanied by his son. Upon crossing, they were captured, processed, and subsequently released by Border Patrol agents. In February 2022, an immigration judge ordered Inga-Landi to be removed from the U.S., marking the beginning of a series of troubling events.

On June 13, 2024, Inga-Landi allegedly attacked a 13-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy at Kissena Park in Queens, New York. The victims were reportedly restrained by their wrists using shoelaces before Inga-Landi proceeded to rape the girl at knifepoint with a machete-style blade. He then confiscated their phones and instructed them to remain at the site for 20 minutes after he fled.

Ignoring the directive to stay put, the traumatized teens ran to a nearby school as soon as Inga-Landi left the scene. There, school staffers promptly contacted 911, initiating an immediate police response. Authorities launched a five-day manhunt in search of Inga-Landi, significantly aided by community involvement and surveillance images.

The culmination of the search came when local citizens recognized Inga-Landi from the widely distributed wanted posters. The neighborhood residents orchestrated a citizen's arrest by cornering and swarming him, eventually tying him up until police officers arrived to take him into custody. During the incident, Inga-Landi sustained minor injuries attempting to resist the good Samaritans.

Following his arrest, Inga-Landi faced charges of rape, kidnapping, and additional felonies related to the assault. In a videotaped confession, he admitted to recording the assault and indicated that he felt 'comfortable' during the attack. Furthermore, he revealed a struggle with drug addiction, stating that he went to purchase drugs after the crime occurred.

This was not Inga-Landi's first brush with the law. His criminal record included several low-level offenses such as subway fare jumping and drinking in public. Additionally, there had been a domestic violence incident that did not lead to any charges and an unspecified arrest in Texas. These prior offenses, while comparatively minor, painted a picture of an individual familiar with criminal activities.

The case of Christian Geovanny Inga-Landi, who had been ordered for deportation but remained in the country, raises significant concerns about the immigration system's ability to track and expel individuals ordered for removal. The incident spotlights the potential dangers posed to community safety and the challenges faced by law enforcement in monitoring and detaining individuals with known criminal records.

The direct involvement of community members in Inga-Landi's apprehension underscores the critical role citizens can play in assisting law enforcement. However, it also raises questions about the resources available to local police to effectively manage and apprehend individuals posing severe threats. This case may prompt a reevaluation of protocols and the implementation of enhanced measures to prevent such incidents in the future.