Police Searching For Suspect In Alphabet City Robbery

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police were searching Tuesday night for the suspect in a violent robbery inside a downtown apartment building. A young woman was attacked just after she opened her door.

And as CBS 2's Kathryn Brown reported, the suspect was caught on camera.

The 28-year-old victim was in remarkably good spirits Tuesday. Prior to the attack she had done everything right. She had her keys out and mace in her purse, but she said once she got into her apartment building everything happened too fast for her to do anything at all ... but fight.

Surveillance video shows a crystal clear image of the man police said attacked the woman in her Alphabet City building. The victim -- who we'll call "Amy" – wanted her face hidden, but also wanted her story told.

"He didn't really say much. I was screaming for help," she said.

"Amy" said she walked into her building at 116 Avenue C around midnight on Saturday. And said while she normally waits to hear the door close behind her, this time she didn't and instead started up the stairs. She said she was then grabbed from behind and wrestled to the ground.

"It was immediate, just grabbed my face and pulled me down to the ground," she said.

She said the attacker got away with the victim's purse, which was filled with cash and an iPhone, and left her bruised and bleeding on the floor of the lobby.

"A bruise on my eye, by my temple, my forehead is swollen. I have about three big bruises on the back of my head and one right behind my ear," she said.

"Amy" said she is slowly recovering both physically and emotionally, but admitted she's shaken.

And others in the building said they are, too.

"It's scary, very scary," resident Meghan D'Agostino said.

"I'm very concerned," Jim Keller added.

Most tenants CBS 2's Brown spoke with said they learned about the attack on the news. Many then questioned why they didn't hear about it from management first.

"A little upset that the management didn't say anything or at least address the situation," resident Lynn Tran said.

"Amy" said she's met with building management to discuss posting signs in the area.

In the meantime, the NYPD hopes the video will help track down the suspect and get an attacker off the streets. Police said the suspect is between 25 and 30 years old, 5-foot-7, with close-cropped hair. He was last seen wearing a dark T-shirt, beige colored shorts and black high top sneakers, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

Tips can also be sent to the Crime Stoppers website or by texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577.

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