NYPD: Man Attacks, Robs Woman In Upper West Side Apartment Building
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police have released surveillance video of a man wanted in connection with a violent robbery on the Upper West Side.
The attack happened around 5:15 a.m. April 10 at 100th Street and West End Avenue, CBS2's Janelle Burrell reported.
The video shows the suspect following the 23-year-old victim into her apartment building. As she fumbles with her keys, he appears to talk on his phone and then slips through the lobby door as the victim opens it.
Moments later, investigators said the suspect made his move, beating the woman over the head before fleeing with her pricey Louis Vuitton bag and her apartment keys, Burrell reported.
A neighbor, who asked not to be identified, heard the attack and called for help.
"I woke up, I heard screaming, it was right outside my door," the neighbor said. "This woman was lying on the floor, kind of half propped up with her head against the wall. She could barely speak English, she's Japanese. It was daunting, a little scary."
The victim was taken to the hospital for cuts and swelling to her face, CBS2 reported. She has since been released.
Neighbors said the woman rented a room in an apartment in the building and is a student.
The attack has left many residents on edge.
"It's kind of terrifying. I've always felt safe here," said Upper West Side resident Michelle Gyenes.
"Most of these building have doormen, mine doesn't, so it's a call you know when you see somebody behind you," resident Karen Kane said.
"I've been in the neighborhood long enough to remember it when it was a lot more threatening," resident Marc Spetalnik said.
"This is New York, we feel so safe in this neighborhood, people feel you can come in and out and leave the door propped open sometimes and you just can't," the neighbor who heard the attack said.
Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips to the Crime Stoppers website or text their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
