QUEENS

*** An 88-year-old woman was struck and killed as by an 18-wheeler as she crossed a busy street in Forest Hills yesterday, police said.

Mildred Girardin was crossing Metropolitan Avenue at 70th Road, not far from her home, when the accident took place. A neighbor said she was the widow of an NYPD cop and had two adult children.

The driver, who was unaware he had hit anyone, was stopped by a passing police car. He was given two summonses for equipment violations.

*** Two men were arrested for allegedly raping a teenage girl after dragging her into their SUV in Corona a year ago, authorities said yesterday.

Barrington Fong, 26, and Ryon Cromer, 25, were on 101st Street and Northern Boulevard when they encountered the 16-year-old girl at 7 a.m. on June 5, 2005, sources said.

Cromer allegedly pulled her into the SUV. Fong drove them to 144th Avenue and 180th Street in Springfield Gardens, where Cromer allegedly raped her. Fong then sexually assaulted the victim, the source said.

Cromer was arrested May 18 and Fong was arrested Tuesday. Both were charged with rape and sexual abuse, according to a spokeswoman for DA Richard Brown.

*** Detectives arrested two people in the middle of a drug transaction at the corner of Grove Street and Grandview Avenue at 3:20 p.m. Tuesday in Ridgewood, authorities said yesterday.

Shannon Alter, 20, was charged with drug possession and José Hernandez, 42, was charged with narcotics selling.

THE BRONX

*** A man was clinging to life at Jacobi Hospital early today after he was shot while sitting in front of a Parkchester apartment building, police said.

The 22-year-old victim, who was not identified, was hit by several bullets when a gunman opened fire at the intersection of East Tremont Avenue and Unionport Road at 2:30 p.m.

BROOKLYN

*** A knife-wielding gem thief threatened the manager of a Williamsburg jewelry store after taking a diamond earring, authorities said yesterday.

David Antinuche, 38, asked the manager to see the $2,500 earring in the store on Graham Avenue at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, sources said.

Antinuche tried it on, then with the help of his girlfriend who suddenly entered the store, he allegedly switched it with a fake-diamond replice, sources said.

The manager, 35, realized the scam and activated a silent alarm as Antinuche allegedly pulled a knife. Police responded and Antinuche was arrested and charged with menacing, robbery and weapons possession.

*** A gang of thugs ripped off a man’s wallet and jewelry after one of the suspects followed him from a Manhattan check-cashing store to Bay Ridge, authorities said yesterday.

The rip-off began at 2:45 p.m. last Friday, when the 26-year-old victim noticed Manhal Alibrahim following him onto a D train at 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue in Midtown after he had cashed a check, sources said.

The two ended up at the Bay Ridge station in Brooklyn, where the victim went to a friend’s house on Senator Street. When he left later, he spotted Alibrahim outside in an SUV.

Alibrahim asked the victim for a cigarette and then allegedly pointed a gun at him.

Two accomplices then came up behind the victim and stole his wallet and a chain with a crucifix.

The suspects fled, but Alibrahim was arrested Wednesday after the victim ID’d him. He was charged with robbery and menacing.

*** Detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of a Vietnam veteran near a Bedford-Stuyvesant church yesterday, sources said.

Robert Ashford, 59, was shot at least three times across the street from Bridge Street AME Church at Stuyvesant Avenue near Hancock Street, the sources said.

STATEN ISLAND

*** A pervert was arrested after he masturbated in front of children at Cary Avenue and Caroline Street in West Brighton at 6:36 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said yesterday.

Mian Sohail, 40, was charged with public lewdness.