Police Release Surveillance Video In Upper West Side Assault
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police released a surveillance video Tuesday of a suspect in the terrifying sexual assault of a woman on the Upper West Side.
The victim said she was walking to her apartment near 105th Street and Central Park West at around 11 p.m. this past Friday, when her attacker started following her, CBS 2's Don Champion reported.
She said once she got to her apartment, the man came up from behind and pushed her down.
Police said the man sexually assaulted the woman, then took off. Sources told CBS 2 the suspect also choked the woman.
The victim who tried to fight off her attacker shared her terrifying story with CBS 2's Steve Langford, hoping to help other victims feel unafraid.
"I tried and it was hopeless," she said.
The 36-year-old wished not to reveal her name, but wants to put a face to this ordeal.
"The last time I had fought back was with a mirror. I had a hand held mirror and he basically got hold of my neck again for the third time," she said. "…wouldn't let go until I almost passed out and I thought I was going to die."
"I kept trying to talk to him and he kept saying, 'shut up, shut up,'" she added.
Police on Tuesday released a surveillance video of a suspect in the assault walking down the street. He was described as a black male in his 40s standing about 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing about 200 pounds.
He was last seen wearing a striped long-sleeved shirt and brown slacks.
The victim says the attacker took her purse, which was later found and turned into police.
The building's superintendent said this past weekend that the surveillance camera for the building was not working at the time, but that a new system will soon be installed.
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