Hempstead Man Held in Post-Sandy Crime Spree

A Hempstead man has been denied bail after being charged with raping, beating and nearly killing a 50-year-old woman in one of at least three armed home invasions during an alleged post-Superstorm Sandy looting spree of blacked-out houses.

Artie Jackson pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of rape, predatory sexual assault, attempted murder, burglary, robbery, assault, strangulation and a slew of other counts during his arraignment at First District Court in Hempstead. Two homes were reportedly in Garden City and the third was in Hempstead.

“You guys think I’m kidding” yelled angrily as he fired his handgun into the ceiling of a bedroom where he tied up four victims and put pillow cases over their heads in the first case Nov. 7, police alleged in court documents.

The 46-year-old broke in through an unlocked rear door in that case. The attempted murder charge stemmed from a Nov. 8 home invasion in which he fired a shot at a victim. Most of the charges were related to the Nov. 11 rape.

Police said Jackson broke in through a rear window of the woman’s home, threatened her with a large carving knife and punched her in the face, causing facial fractures.

During the rape, he “placed a zip tie around her throat and pulled it tight, causing her to lose consciousness,” according to the criminal complaint. “The continued tightening of the zip tie caused the victim to sustain a life-threatening laceration.”

The victim required surgery for injuries suffered to her throat and trachea. Police said Jackson was apprehended when an officer spotted him fleeing in the victim’s $32,000 vehicle.

In addition to the vehicle, he is alleged to have stolen three cell phones, a change purse, electronics and $450 cash, among other items. One victim was forced into a boiler room at gunpoint, according to the documents.

Police told reporters during a news conference that they urged the Long Island Power Authority to prioritize restoring electricity to the neighborhoods during the lengthy post-hurricane blackouts.

The suspect has served prison time for theft, robbery and burglary, records show.

A Nassau County judge remanded Jackson to Nassau County jail. He is due back in court Thursday.