Reeaz Khan, 21, has been charged with the sexual abuse and murder of 92-year-old New York woman, Maria Fuertes

Fuertes was found lying on a street in Queens around 2am on Monday, suffering from serious injuries; she later died in hospital

Police believe Khan followed Fuertes from a convenience store, before he approached her from behind and attacked her

However, Khan has claimed that he discovered Fuertes lying on the ground and was attempting to help her before he fell over and his pants came undone

Khan claims at that point 'something came over him' and he attempted to have sex with Fuertes - who was conscious but incoherent

Maria Fuertes, 92, was found in the middle of a street in Queens early Monday. A 21-year-old man has now been charged with her murder

The New York man charged over the shocking sexual assault and murder of an elderly woman says he was trying to help her before his pants fell down and his genitals came into contact with hers.

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Reeaz Khan, 21, made the astonishing claim to detectives on Thursday after he was arrested over the horrific death of Maria Fuertes, 92.

Fuertes was discovered lying 'incoherent' on a street near her home in Queens around 2am on Monday, with a broken spine, rib fractures and bruising on her chest and neck.

The much-loved local - whom neighbors referred to as 'grandma' - later died in hospital.

Khan was pictured walking out of the police precinct flanked by two officer on Friday following his arrest.

On Friday, investigators charged Khan with sexual abuse and murder in the second-degree, with reports saying a tip-off came from his own brother.

Investigators also claim they were able to retrieve significant surveillance footage from the area that proves Khan committed the crime.

They believe Khan approached Fuertes from behind while she was walking home from a deli where she went to buy cat food late at night.

Police assert Khan then attacked her, before the pair became involved in a scuffle and fell to the ground.

However, The New York Post reports that Khan has told detectives that he was simply walking through the area when he came across Fuertes lying on the pavement.

He claims he was trying to help her up when 'he fell down, his belt broke, his pants fell down and his penis fell near her vagina'.

On Friday, investigators charged Khan with sexual abuse and murder in the second-degree, allegedly following a tip-off from his own brother. He is seen after his arrest

Khan has told detectives that he was simply walking by when he came across Fuertes lying on the pavement and tried to help her

According to The Post, Khan told detectives that at that moment 'something came over him' and he 'lifted up Fuertes' skirt and try to put his penis inside of her'.

Khan reportedly admitted to suffering 'uncontrollable urges,' and decided to act upon them.

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He is being held without bond and will appear in court on January 15.

The attack has rocked the Queens community.

Khan claims 'he fell down, his belt broke, his pants fell down and his penis fell near her vagina'

Officers combed through surveillance footage trying to find the person responsible for the horrific attack

The popular local often go out late at night to a local deli to buy tins of tuna and cat food.

She would then return home, open the tins and leave them near the front of her house for her own pets and other local cats to eat.

Hugo Fuertes, Maria's son, said she was 'a very nice, very good lady' who never caused harm to anyone.

Aneil Ram, who lived nearby, told ABC News: 'She was a sweet lady.

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'We all knew her since we were small and it's sickening to even hear something like that happening to her.'