Police: Man Wanted For Attempted Rape In Harlem
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police in Harlem are looking for a suspect in connection with an attempted rape earlier this week.
As CBS2's Ilana Gold reported, it happened around 7:45 p.m. Wednesday at an apartment building on East 131st Street and Madison Ave.
He walked right to the elevator as he carried a red bag. Seconds later he can be seen wandering through an upstairs hallway.
Police said a man approached a 60-year-old woman inside a compactor room. He covered her mouth, put her in a bear hug, pushed her to the ground and attempted to sexually assault her before fleeing, police said.
"I'm really scared, and I feel very not comfortable," the victim's daughter said.
She showed CBS2 the cuts and bruises on her mother's face.
Police said the perpetrator grabbed the woman by the neck, threw her to the ground, and banged her head on the floor, then ripped off her clothing, stripped off his clothing, and tried to rape her.
When she screamed for help, her daughter ran over and interrupted the crime, and couldn't ignore her mother's condition.
"My mom, the nose and everything had blood, and the teeth had blood too," she said.
She said she didn't get a good look at the suspect when he took off. Cameras captured him leaving the building a short time later.
Tenants were alarmed.
"So all that took place people were sitting in the lobby. He came out like nothing ain't ever happened, oh my god that's shocking," Yvonne Williams said.
Police need to find them man before he comes back and possibly targets someone else. On Friday, officers were back in the neighborhood, and they put up posters asking anyone to come forward with information.
"Very frightened, because I have daughters too, worrying about coming in the building," Williams said.
People who live in the building said they've never seen the man before, they think someone accidentally let him in.
"When people walk in the door they walk in behind other people, some people they just don't care," Victor Valdes said.
Now, neighbors are on high alert, and more careful about who they let inside.
Police said there is no indication the suspect knew the victim. She was treated for cuts and bruises. Her daughter said she is still traumatized from the attack.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
