NYPD Looking For Harlem Sexual Assault Suspect
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Women in one Harlem neighborhood are on alert after a frightening attack inside an elevator.
Police are now asking for the public's help to get the sexual predator off the street, reports CBS 2's Kristin Thorne.
The surveillance photo is blurry, but police are hoping someone will recognize the suspect. He's accused of following a woman into her apartment building near West 123rd Street and Eighth Avenue and sexually assaulting her in the elevator.
The NYPD didn't release many details from the incident, saying only that the suspect is between 25 and 30 years old and is about 5'11" tall.
Police were not saying whether the suspect had a weapon.
Many women in the neighborhood said they already take extra precautions to stay safe at night.
"When I leave work, I come home, stay in my house," Gloria Mitchell said.
"I walk with my husband," said another resident. "I don't go out too late."
Lu Sierra said she always looks out of the corner of her eyes.
"I don't mind stopping and saying, 'do you have an issue, are you following me?' I don't mind saying that, I really don't," Sierra said. "There's no such thing as embarrassed as a woman nowadays. I'd much rather ask and apologize than get attacked."
The suspect was last seen wearing a striped golf shirt and blue jeans.
Anyone with information should call Crime stoppers at 1-800-577-tips (8477) or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.
