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In an announcement on Thursday, Nov. 14, the City of Rye Police Department detailed an encounter at the Rye Public Library reported by two teenagers.
According to the department, on Wednesday, Nov, 13, the two teens encountered 29-year-old Wale Gai at the library. Detectives later interviewed him and found out he frequented the library.
Gai is a registered Level 2 sex offender who was convicted of third-degree rape in June 2019, police said, adding that his level indicates he has a "moderate risk of re-offending."
According to the New York State Sex Offender Registry, Gai was arrested in Mount Vernon for raping a 14-year-old girl in May 2018.
Gai, a Black man who is 5-foot-9 and has brown eyes, has selective mutism and is known to communicate by showing text messages on his phone. He is homeless, police said, also adding that his last known address was in Valhalla.
In their announcement, the department advised residents to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to the police.
"While the information about this individual is being disseminated to raise awareness, it is important to remember that there is no known imminent threat to the community," the department wrote in a social media post, adding, "However, residents are encouraged to be cautious and take appropriate safety measures."
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