Sex Attack Stuns Residents In Financial District
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The search for a sexual predator that attacked a woman near the Financial District in lower Manhattan intensified on Thursday.
And as CBS 2's John Slattery reports, police not only have the suspect's description, they have his picture.
It looks like a crime of opportunity. A woman trailed by a man who attacks her, then makes his getaway from the same direction.
It happened on Fulton Street near Cliff Street, three blocks from the South Street Seaport.
"I'm very surprised, actually. I considered this neighborhood pretty safe," resident Jennifer Magee said.
It may have been a bit risky; a young woman walking alone, at 2:45 a.m.
The woman, who is 23, was followed by the man, who was caught on a security camera in front of a Dunkin Donuts. Out of camera range, she is sexually abused.
"It's horrible. I thought this was a safe neighborhood, and I do walk home late at night because I wait tables," resident Trice Pruitt said.
The attacker took off in the direction of Gold Street. Word is now spreading about the danger in bars like the Iron Horse, where Kim Rosello is the owner and said the area is normally safe.
"I mean, I'm here until 4 a.m. and nothing. This is very rare," Rosello said.
Police are looking for a man described as Hispanic, 28-32 years old, around 5-foot-6 and 140 pounds. He was wearing a light blue and white striped shirt, khaki pants and white sneakers.
"To be quite honest, I wouldn't walk after 12 o'clock even in the best of neighborhoods," resident Eleanor Guardino said.
The picture of the man is fleeting, but police are hoping it's enough for someone to recognize the culprit and call the cops.
Many of the women Slattery spoke with said they chose to live in Financial District because of its reputation as being safe.
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