NYPD: Man Wanted In Connection To At Least 7 Sex Assaults In Hamilton Heights
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are searching for a man in connection to at least seven sexual assaults in Harlem.
Investigators released surveillance images of the suspect Tuesday.
Police say he's groped the women and, in some cases, has pushed them against a wall or to the ground. All the victims are between the ages of 22 and 36 years old.
The seven incidents happened between Dec. 5 and Dec. 14. As CBS2 reported last month, at least three of them allegedly took place within a 30-minute window on Dec. 10.
The crime spree has women in the area on edge.
"It's scary, it's very scary and sad," one woman told CBS2.
Mother-of-two Princess Lyles said she's concerned for the safety of her two young daughters.
"It's disturbing," she said. "You do end up having to teach children at a very young age, like you have to look out for your surroundings."
Others agreed.
"Guys, they overpower women. As women, we really can't defend ourselves. We can kick, scratch, whatever," said another woman. "I'm definitely going to make sure I have at least a coworker walk me."
Anna Kirkland, who lives around the corner from where one of the attacks happened, said she will now be more vigilant when she walks around.
"Looking out for each other if you see someone in trouble," she said.
"Be aware of your surroundings. We don't got out at nighttime," added Lyles.
According to investigators, five of the assaults happened on West 147th Street, while the other two happened on West 145th Street.
Anyone who has information regarding these incidents is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-8477 or for Spanish, 1-888-577-4782. Tips can also be sent to the NYPDTips Twitter account or submitted online at NYPDCrimeStoppers.com.
