Police Search For Groper Who Has Assaulted At Least 3 Women Near Kissena Park
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The NYPD on Friday was warning women in Queens about a dangerous predator who has been on the attack in and around Kissena Park.
As CBS2's Sonia Rincon reported, police believe the same man is responsible for three very disturbing assaults on women in just the last week.
In the first incident, around 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 10, they said he grabbed a woman on a bicycle on Oak Avenue, trying to get her into the park. The man tried to talk to the victim as he touched himself over the clothes, police said. The woman broke free and fled.
Then around 10:15 a.m. this past, on Sunday, there was another disturbing incident on Colden Street and Mulberry Avenue. Police said the same suspect approached a young woman, tried talking to her and then tried to hug and kiss her, grabbed her buttocks, and touched himself over his clothing. The victim ran off, police said.
The third incident happened around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at 56th Avenue and 148th Street. Police said the same man grabbed a 41-year-old woman by the arms and tried to drag her into a back yard. The victim screamed, and that time, the suspect took off in a red car.
"It's disturbing. It's very disturbing, especially when I bring my kids here," said Lila Lee.
Lee and other women in the park told CBS2's Rincon it is not generally dangerous.
"I mean, it's pretty safe during the daytime," said Sarah Tom.
"Lately, here's been a lot of like police, I've seen," said Fabiola Nuñez. "They've been visible around here, so I feel pretty safe."
The suspect was described as Hispanic and about 40 years old, weighing about 200 pounds and standing about 6 feet tall, with a slim and muscular build. Police said he has black hair with some grey, and a tattoo of a red and green star on the back of his arm above the elbow.
Anyone with information was asked to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS or (888) 577-PISTA for Spanish, log onto the Crime Stoppers website, or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577.
