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Woman Fights Off Potential Rapist In Queens

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A 23-year-old woman was followed from the bus stop at 8 p.m. Sunday along South Conduit Avenue when someone tried to sexually assault her in Laurelton, Queens.

The woman fought back, the suspect backed off, and neighbors applauded her for her bravery.

1010 WINS' John Montone reports fear is growing in the neighborhood

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"She was here with an ambulance for a lengthy time before the ambulance left with her," neighbor Malcom Riley told CBS 2's Dave Carlin.

Sisters Amanda and Nathalie Avignon, walking down the same stretch of sidewalk, were shocked over news of the brazen attacker.

"This is a pretty lively neighborhood so the fact people are assaulting other people and there's cars constantly driving down here, it's scary. They're becoming a lot more defiant," said Nathalie Avignon.

Neighbors wonder if a man they call the Laurelton rapist just struck again. Police posted a sketch the suspect at businesses and stores in the area.

Police have not linked the latest attack to this suspect.

Merchants say officers started circulating the sketch two days ago, saying the suspect is wanted for a sex assault Wednesday around 11 p.m. also on South Conduit Avenue just a few blocks away.

That victim was also 23-years-old.

"One of those things you never really thought about it before but now I'm more exposed to it and its definitely real," said Amanda Avignon.

The suspect is described as a man in his 20s, with dark skin, between 5'3" and 5'5" with a medium build, acne scars, and a thin mustache.

Why do you think there are so many sexual assaults in Brooklyn and Queens lately? Sound off in our comments section below...

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