Police Seek Queens Sex Assault Suspect
NEW YORK (1010 WINS/ CBS 2) -- Police in Queens are asking for the public's help as they try to find a suspect wanted for a pair of sexual assaults.
Last Wednesday, the suspect approached a 25-year-old woman walking from the train station at Parsons Boulevard & Hillside Avenue in Jamaica.
Authorities said the suspect tried to engage her in conversation before grabbing her from behind near 160 Street and Normal Road. The suspect proceeded to choke the victim before forcing her to the ground, where he reached under her dress and removed her underwear, police said.
St. John's University student John Laura told CBS 2's John Metaxas he will never forget the sound of the woman's scream as she was attacked outside his window.
"All of a sudden I was wakened by the most horrifying woman's scream. You know how you watch in the movies, it's one thing but you hear it in real life it's completely different," Laura said.
And Laura's girlfriend said she's walking around a bit more carefully.
"I was so scared. I never going to hang out late at night," student Georgia Wong said.
The suspect fled the scene after the victim was able to fight him off. Police said the woman suffered lacerations to her knees, hand and chin in addition to bruises on her chest and arms.
In the second incident, which took place on Sunday, the suspect approached two women in their mid 20's walking from the station at Van Wyck & Queens Boulevard.
Near Pershing Crescent and Manton Street, the suspect grabbed both woman and forced them into a rear yard, where he began to fondle them, authorities said. Both women were able to fight the suspect off and sustained bruises and abrasions doing so.
The suspect is described as a black male in his mid 20s, 6-foot, with a thin build and dreadlocks. The suspect was last seen wearing a brown leather jacket.
The approach in the attacks was the same -- initial conversation, a walk to a more secluded area and then an attempt to choke the victim from behind while sexually assaulting her.
It has left women in the neighborhood frightened.
"That's really scary," one woman told Metaxas.
"It needs to have more security around here because that's not a good thing for women to be attacked," Nadagia Clarke added.
Anyone with information in regards to either of these incidents or the identity of the suspect seen in the sketch is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1 800 577 TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
All calls are strictly confidential.
