Convicted rapist charged with armed robbery of markets downtown and in the West End

A man who was convicted of raping a 72-year-old woman in her South End apartment in 2000 was arrested today on charges he held up a market on Washington Street in Downtown Crossing and a market on Staniford Street in the West End, both on Feb. 11.

Rongit Whistleon, also known as Rangit Whistleon, was charged with two counts of armed robbery, Boston Police report, adding he was also wanted on parole violations for a previous conviction for aggravated rape, kidnapping and unarmed robbery, police say.

Whistleon pleaded guilty those charges in 2007 for raping the elderly woman in her apartment on Shawmut Avenue in the South End in 2000 - after he broke in and then stood over her bed for awhile before demanding money and jewelry. Affter the woman gave him the $50 she had and faked a heart attack to try to make him go away, he raped her, according to a Globe account at the time.

He received a 20-year sentence.

Police report they arrested Whistleon at the St. Francis homeless facility on Boylston Street around 10:50 a.m. today. As his permanent address, he gave 25 Staniford St., home to the Lindemann Mental Health Center.

Innocent, etc.