Queens

* A DNA match has led to the arrest of a convicted drug dealer who allegedly raped and robbed a woman working in a Jackson Heights hair salon 10 years ago, authorities said yesterday.

Alex Jackson, 37, was charged with rape, burglary and robbery, according to a spokeswoman for Queens DA Richard Brown.

On April 1, 1996, Jackson allegedly forced his way into the salon near 35th Avenue and 99th Street after store hours, sources said.

He then allegedly brandished a gun, confronted the 30-year-old woman and threatened to kill her. He raped her and stole $150 from the salon, sources said.

Jackson was required to give a DNA sample after he was convicted of drug sales in 2001.

The DNA recovered from the salon victim matched and was used to identify him as her attacker, according to the sources.

* A former doughnut-shop worker-turned-stickup-man was arrested after an employee recognized him during an armed robbery at a Dunkin’ Donuts in Jackson Heights, authorities said yesterday.

Michael Caro, 20, covered his face with a shirt and brandished a 9mm pistol when he walked into the shop on the Grand Central Parkway service road at about 12:15 a.m. Sunday, sources said.

He brazenly strode through a swinging gate to go behind the counter, where he confronted the employee and demanded cash, the sources said.

The employee opened a register and handed about $900 to Caro, whom he recognized by his distinctively shaped eyes, according to the sources.

Police were called and learned that Caro had lost his job at the shop about six months ago after fighting with a manager over money he claimed the store owed him.

Caro was arrested Monday and charged with first-degree robbery, according to a spokeswoman for Queens DA Richard Brown.

Brooklyn

* A bumbling shoplifter has been arrested after beating and kicking a security guard who caught him stealing several ink cartridges in a Gravesend store, authorities said yesterday.

The guard saw Thomas Cecare, 36, stuffing the cartridges into his jacket in the Rite Aid on Kings Highway near West 11th Street at about 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 20, sources said.

The guard, accompanied by a store worker, confronted Cecare and escorted him into the security office.

There, Cecare allegedly dropped the pilfered items on the ground and bashed the guard in the head. He then allegedly kicked the guard in the leg. As Cecare fled, the guard grabbed the suspect’s leg and pulled off his shoe, the sources said.

Cecare left behind his cellphone and sunglasses.

Police used the phone’s records to track down Cecare, who was arrested Monday and charged with assault, menacing, petit larceny and weapons possession.

* A young woman was arrested after she attacked and robbed a female acquaintance in East New York, authorities said yesterday.

Michelle Dutchin, 25, and an unidentified accomplice confronted the 22-year-old woman in a grocery store at Wortman and New Jersey avenues at about 9:10 a.m. on March 29, sources said.

Both allegedly grabbed the woman, dragged her out of the store and slugged her in the face and torso. The duo then allegedly snatched a $150 bracelet from the woman’s wrist and fled.

The victim suffered a black eye and a cut lip.

* A man with a history of drug arrests was fatally shot by a thug who accosted him on a Flatbush Street, police said yesterday.

The 28-year-old victim was blasted in the face at the corner of Flatbush and Woodruff avenues at about 7 p.m. Monday, when the gunman opened fire for unknown reasons.

Staten Island

* A man was found dead yesterday after he apparently used a rope to hang himself on a soccer field in Gateway National Park, authorities said.

A passer-by discovered the body of the unidentified man, in his 40s, hanging from a tree on Miller Field at about 7:40 a.m., sources said.

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