A 36-year-old woman was sexually assaulted on Friday night by a man who forced his way into her apartment on 105th street near Central Park West. The man is still on the loose and his victim is now speaking out to empower other victims and let the man know that she’s ready to testify against him.
The crime occurred around 11 p.m. on Friday night. The man was described by the Daily News as black, “about 6-feet-2 and 35- to 40-years-old. He was last seen wearing a white and brown striped shirt.” Police told the News that he followed her into the building and then forced his way in. The Post, however, reports that she first saw him lingering outside a neighbor’s apartment in the hallway when she returned home.
The woman entered her apartment but didn’t immediately lock the door behind her.
Moments later, the man walked into her apartment and put her into a chokehold.
Then he forced her to her knees and demanded she perform oral sex, said the sources. He also fondled her, the sources said.
But the pervert couldn’t perform. He soon zipped up his pants and fled the scene.
She tried to fight back but “it was hopeless.”
Although the man passed a surveillance camera, it was broken, ABC reported.
“The suspect passed right underneath a surveillance camera near the front door of the building. The super tells Eyewitness News that the camera is broken.”
The woman says she’ll be willing to testify against her attacked and knows “exactly how he looks.” He also left his hat in her apartment, which could yield DNA.
“I’m not afraid and I’m still not going to be afraid, and this man is not going to make me afraid,” she said.
Her toughness is reminiscent of the birdwatcher who was raped in Central Park and told her attacker she would “cut off his penis.”
If you know anything about this crime, call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls are confidential.
A tip of my hat to this very tough and admirable woman.
Hats off indeed, glad she’s safe. Now let’s find this creep.
Very brave girl. Glad she’s safe. I hope they find the degenerate.
It’s a good thing you didn’t call this very brave woman and broad or a chick. Imagine what that would have started.
Dude, she’s 36. Not a girl.
Dude? Seriously, are you 9?
Melissa,
The above poster was merely applauding this young woman for her courage and bravery in the face of the unthinkable. Thank Gd she’s alive.
No need for nastiness b/c the person didn’t take a gender studies class at Barnard to know the nomenclature used for single women in today’s day and age.
Many women in their 40s say they’re “going out with the girls.” 83-year old bubbe calls anyone 40 or under a “girl.” It can be confusing.
Look at the person’s overarching message, which was in agreement with your views.
Ok, ol’ chap?
What are you babbling on about? A stranger calling a 36-year-old woman a girl is flat-out weird. It’s in no way the same thing as a woman herself “going out with the girls.” It has nothing to do with gender studies and more like sheer stupidity and condescension.
Melissa, you are too funny! Your comment began with “Dude”…you don’t even know who you were addressing! You don’t even know if B.W. is a “Dude”…you basically did the same thing you were criticizing. Get a grip and stay on topic next time, jeez…dude! Sorry to add to that rant everyone else. I hope they catch the person who did this. My thoughts go out to the victim.
this is a brave woman who is doing the right thing. “props” to her.
the building should consider hiring a security guard.
It’s too bad that we need to say things like “the building should hire a security guard”. The building shouldn’t need a security guard, but you’re right, it does, because the crime in this neighborhood is getting out of control.
…and fix their security cameras.
Anyone here sit on the board of CB7? I’m thinking:
With all the “bootcamp”-style fitness classes offered on the UWS, and overall interest in safety, I would hope that the local precinct or CB7 could perhaps offer a weekend self-defense class for women with practical advice.
In graduate school, we had a weekend-long event and it was very helpful.
I’d certainly help sponsor such an event.
Disclaimer: This doesn’t take away from what happened, how certain events can’t be prevented, etc. Definitely NO victim blaming going on here. Just trying to think of empowerment initiatives.
The camera was broken. There are no other cameras in the neighborhood? I wish she could sue the landlord.
Blame the criminal perpetrator , not the Landlord.
and as stated here, this is a low income co-op – i.e the residents own the building. Are they culpable?
Seems that incidents like this, along with pedestrian accidents and robberies, have become much more prevalent since DeBlasio moved into Gracie Mansion.
Luke, what are you saying? Do you think that under DiBlasio, fewer cops are around? Trying to understand the connection.
Did they release a sketch of this scumbag?
Lucas, not Luke. Sorry.
Not sure I care for that bit about cutting off a penis.
The man who raped the birdwatcher two years ago was sentenced to 30 years last October. A nice specimen — when he was about 18 he was acquitted or rape and murder. Later with various alleged victims he was charged or suspected in other killing and rapes and was convicted of abducting his ex-girlfriend. He was homeless and in the caring society these guys aren’t locked up enough.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/david-albert-mitchell-drifter-gets-30-years-in-prison-for-brutal-rape-of-73-year-old-central-park-birdwatcher/
I have lived around the corner for 38 years. This building is a an HFDC coop, i.e. the tenants took it over decades ago with help from the city after the landlord walked away from it. So the tenants are responsible. One of the problems is that over the years many of the original tenants who worked to rescue the building have moved on but they continue to rent out their apartments. Usually HFDC’s have rules about how long you can sublet, but I don’t know about this building.
Hopefully, this woman’s speaking out can help find this creep. I hope the police and community feel this is an emergency because it is. Everyone’s safety is compromised.
And the fact that the security camera was broken is 100% unacceptable. Their needs to be an appropriate consequence for this negligence.
And lastly, all please be aware of your surroundings and lock doors immediately behind you. If possible report suspicious behavior.
Hopefully, this woman’s speaking out can help find this creep. I hope the police and community feel this is an emergency because it is. Everyone’s safety is compromised.
And the fact that the security camera was broken is 100% unacceptable. There needs to be an appropriate consequence for this negligence.
And lastly, all please be aware of your surroundings and lock doors immediately behind you. If possible report suspicious behavior.
The victim is such a brave and strong woman. Very impressive.
I hope that this monster is caught and put away.
I also hope that the owners of the building are somehow held accountable. There is no excuse for the building camera being inoperable.