NYPD Manhunt On After Woman Is Dragged Into Alley And Raped In Queens
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The search is on for a man who attacked a woman on a Queens sidewalk and raped her in a dark alleyway.
As CBS 2's Nick Caloway reported Sunday, the incident has the neighborhood on edge.
Surveillance video shows the man police say attacked and raped a 27-year-old woman as she was walking home on Jamaica Avenue near 163rd Street around 4 a.m. on Saturday.
According to police, the victim was walking down the sidewalk when she was attacked. Then she was forcibly dragged into an alleyway and raped. When the attacker first grabbed the woman, he covered her mouth and told her "I am going to kill you," police added.
The attack has left neighbors stunned.
"That's very terrifying because I have two kids of my own. And God forbid I'm scheduled to work early in the morning. I don't want to get attacked," Queens Village resident Joanne Valaire said.
"I would be devastated if something like this happened to me. I don't know what would happen," Jamaica resident Selina Persaud added.
One neighbor Caloway talked to said the alleyway should be closed off to prevent more crimes like this.
"It's gotta be closed off. That's number one. We need to have more police protection in the area, particularly at this hour of the morning. But the police can't do it all," Jamaica's Thomas Crater said.
Police released images of the suspect in the hope that someone recognizes him. They said he's 25 to 35 years old and about 5-foot-6. He was last seen wearing a dark ski cap, a tan vest, blue jeans, a black sweater and black sneakers.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.
