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Adolfo Martinez Confesses To Groping Incident In Sunset Park

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) --Police arrested a late Tuesday in a recent groping incident and are investigating if the same person is behind a dozen sexual assaults in South Brooklyn since March.

Police say Adolfo Martinez, 26, faces charges of sex abuse in the 3rd degree.

Police Say Martinez Has Confessed To The Sunset Park Attack. 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria Reports.

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Martinez has confessed to an attack in Sunset Park, reported 1010 WINS' Carol D'Auria. He has also indicated to authorities that he has "done this before," but doesn't remember precisely where or when.

D'Auria reported that there is at least one other arrest on his record. Police will be taking Martinez through a series of line-ups for possible identification by other grope victims.

Martinez allegedly grabbed a woman from behind and groped her as she was walking near 36thStreet and between Fourth and Fifth Avenues early Monday morning.  He was picked up by police on 42nd Street in Brooklyn just blocks from where the alleged assault occurred.

"She was attacked by a man who pulled her down by her chest. She screamed," the victim's sister told CBS 2's Sean Hennessey on Monday night.

The suspect took off running when the victim started screaming. Police say Martinez matches the person seen in surveillance fleeing the scene of the attack, D'Auria reported.

WCBS 880's Paul Murnane On The Story

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Women throughout Brooklyn have been unnerved by the attacks and in Sunset Park, the reaction to the arrest has been tempered with caution.

"Really happy to hear about it. For months, I know, a lot of people in the community have been uncomfortable. I certainly have and to know that hopefully they've caught the right person," Jennifer Carnig told CBS 2's Mark Morgan.

Police are questioning Martinez about the other attacks and have not ruled out his involvement in those.  However, Martinez's family said that he couldn't possibly be the suspect given that he is married with an 8-month-old baby.

The NYPD released several sketches of the groping suspect - or suspects - and at least one of the assault in March was caught on camera.

The most recent sketch was released late Tuesday, just hours before Martinez's arrest.

Brooklyn Sex Assault Sketch
Police released this sketch on Tuesday night. It was obtained based on information given by the 12th victim in the pattern. (credit: DCPI)

"We've certainly increased our uniformed presence there. We've done continual canvasses of the area. We're doing everything that we can do. We're going to ratchet it up even more," Commissioner Ray Kelly said prior to Martinez's arrest.

This isn't the first time police have arrested an alleged groper. Last week, police arrested Federico Chamorro Yax, 22, and accused him of involvement in two sexual assaults.

1010 WINS' John Montone with the details

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