Woman Fights Off Attempted Rape Suspect In NYC Apartment Stairwell, Police Say
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are looking for a man who followed a woman into her apartment building and tried to rape her.
CBS2's Aundrea Cline-Thomas has obtained surveillance video that shows who authorities are looking for.
The footage shows the suspect minutes before the attack. You can't miss his red, white and black puffy jacket.
Authorities said the unknown man followed a woman into her apartment building in the area around Amsterdam Avenue and 148th Street just before 6 a.m. on Saturday.
"It's going to make me more aware to watch my surroundings. I'm going to watch myself," Hamilton Heights resident Albertine Harris said.
Police said the suspect grabbed the woman from behind as she walked up the stairs in her apartment building and tried to rape her. But the 40-year-old victim fought back.
"Everybody is going to put up a fight. We don't want that. That's not what society should be right now," resident Beverly Concepcion said.
The victim and suspect both fell down the stairs. Police said the suspect ran away, while the woman was treated at the hospital after injuring her back and hand.
"It was at 6 o'clock in the morning. Normally I open the business at that time, so it's really scary to hear that," salon owner Rosemary Chaljub said.
Chaljub joined other business owners and residents who are now on the lookout.
"If I were to ever encounter him it's bang zoom, you know?" resident Will Roberson said while balling up a fist.
Some residents said they've seen the suspect in the neighborhood before, and that jacket makes him clearly stand out.
Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish. You can also submit a tip via the Crime Stoppers website, by Tweeting @NYPDTips or by texting a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) and then entering TIP577.