Police Seek Suspect In Queens Park Taser Attack
NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- Police have released a sketch of a man who is wanted for allegedly stunning and attempting to rape a female jogger in a Queens park.
The man allegedly came up behind a woman in Forest Park in Woodhaven and tased her in the neck before sexually assaulting her, police said.
After tasing the woman, the suspect dragged her into some bushes and tried to undress her, according to police.
The woman had been jogging on the park's horse trail. Residents were shocked by the attack.
"That surprises me. I never heard of something like that. It's scary," Margaret McGreevy told CBS 2's Dick Brennan.
Geoffrey Croft, President of the New York City Park Advocates, was appalled by the attack.
"At night it's not only late. It was beautiful night last night and everyone should be safe in the parks. That this person tried to take advantage of this person is just gross," he said. "It's really, really disturbing."
The victim was dazed by the taser but was able to fight off her attacker, police said.
The woman, who police said is 23 years old, was taken to Queens Center Hospital for treatment.
The suspect is a white male, between the ages of 35 and 40, with a medium build. He was last seen wearing a navy blue hooded sweatshirt, navy blue track pants with reddish brown hair and facial hair, according to police.
Jogger Attacked With Taser In Queens Court
On Friday night, he was wearing a gold hoop earring.
Croft emphasized the need for park-goers to exercise caution when visiting the park.
"People get complacent in parks, they feel 'I'm in this beautiful, natural area,' which Forest Park is. But you really have to be careful," Croft said.
As Brennan reported, Park Enforcement Patrol used to have 450 officers working in parks, but now have just 90.
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