A Peekskill man has pleaded not guilty after police say he raped a woman.

Andre Sims appeared in Newburgh City Court Wednesday morning, charged with a felony count of rape. Police say he was armed with a gun when he raped a woman late Monday night, but no weapon has been found. Newburgh City Police also say the woman escaped, and was found without clothes near the Foundry apartment complex that night.

Police say they chased Sims' vehicle, but he crashed his car and ran away. They later caught up with him at Saint Vincent Hospital in Westchester County, and arrested him.

Sims' lawyer says the woman who says she was raped is a prostitute who tried to steal from his client.

"In concert with two unnamed or unidentified males, set about robbing my client of his money and then his automobile and his phone on the date in question," said defense attorney Raymond Sprowls.

Sims was ordered to stay away from the alleged victim. He is due in court again on Monday, and ordered held on $500,000 cash or bond.