Rape Suspect. Recent attacks he wears a baseball cap.
As you’ve certainly heard, the NYPD is looking for suspects in a rash of sexual assaults, and one rape, that have occurred since March in Park Slope, Bay Ridge and Sunset Park. There have been nine such incidents, mostly at night and mostly involving young women. A tenth incident was reported this week.
In our neck of the woods, we’ve had two incidents, but none that are believed linked to the serial attacks grabbing the headlines.
On Aug. 31, at 11:10 p.m., a woman, 29, was walking on Henry and turned right onto Congress Street in Cobble Hill when she turned around and noticed a “white or Hispanic†male, 5’ 8†and thin, who ran up to her, “grabbed her crotch and squeezed,†said Officer Vincent Marrone, spokesman for the 76th Precinct.
The woman screamed, and a male up the block yelled, “Do you need help?†Marrone said. The perpetrator ran off. The woman was scarred and angry and didn’t report the crime until Sept. 1, Marrone said.
The other incident happened Aug. 29, at 8:35 a.m., when a woman was walking on Summit Street and Hicks, near the footbridge. A man said, “Hey mama,†to her. She kept walking. He followed her to the pedestrian bridge and grabbed her buttocks. The perpetrator was described as a Hispanic male, 5’ 5â€, 175 pounds.
Marrone said the incidents don’t appear connected to the wider spree.
“We can never say for sure until we investigate more,†Marrone said. “We need more time to figure this out.â€
The NYPD is looking for what they think is two Hispanic suspects in the wider string of attacks.
Women are encouraged to stay alert and report incidents as soon as they happen, Marrone said.
In another incident, on Friday, Aug. 19, at 12:30 p.m., a man assaulted a woman leaving the Hoyt Schemerhorn Street subway station. He approached her from behind and grabbed her, and then ran off.
If you see anything suspicious, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or submit any tips to the Crime Stoppers website by logging on to www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.
You can also text tips to the NYPD by dialing 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577.
Meanwhile, there was a rash of burglaries in Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens during August. There was an arrest but the suspect was released. Detectives at the 76 are conducted follow-up on forensic evidence recovered from two of the crime scenes.
Patrol units are monitoring the individual.
Residents are asked to lock their windows.
Capt. Jack Lewis says many of the burglaries occur when criminals find open windows.
An arrest in the 84th precinct (Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights), of two men, is hoped to reduce burglaries.
If you would like a free, residential crime prevention survey conducted on your home, contact the 76th Precinct at 718-834-3211 and ask for Police Officer Bredy.
