By Connor Adams Sheets
Police were asking Tuesday for the public’s help in locating a man wanted in connection with a spree of violent sexual assaults in Flushing.
The fourth attack to fit the characteristics of the series of crimes took place just last week, months after the first incident, according to police.
All of the assaults occurred late at night or early in the morning and targeted Asian females in their 20s and 30s, police said.
The assailant, wanted for approaching all four of his victims from behind and sexually assaulting them before fleeing, is described as a 5-foot-5, 140 pound, 30-year-old Hispanic man with black hair, according to police.
The first incident took place at about 10:10 p.m. Sept. 22 at the intersection of 28th Street and 34th Avenue. The 37-year-old victim received injuries to her head and face, police said.
On Dec. 12 at about 7:30 p.m., at the intersection of Sanford Avenue and 147th Street, a 27-year-old victim was hurt on her head and face during a second assault, according to police.
At about 3:45 a.m. Feb. 27, in front of 37-04 Browne St., a 26-year-old woman was assaulted but did not require medical attention, according to police.
The most recent incident, which police said fits the profile of the ongoing spree, took place at 11:40 p.m. April 19, at 44-35 Colden St., where a 24-year-old woman was sexually assaulted but was not hurt badly enough to go to the hospital.
Police have released a sketch of the suspect and two videos of a man they believe is the suspect in the attacks. The videos, which were taken on the night of the April 19 attack, do not depict the assault itself, instead only showing the suspected assailant walking past what appears to be a commercial market shortly before the attack that night. He wears a black jacket likely made of leather, under which he has on a black shirt with a yellow graphic and what appear to be dark blue jeans.
The 112th Precinct’s Special Victims Unit, which is handling the case, declined to comment further on the attacks. Police at the 109th Precinct, which includes the locations where the assaults took place, said they did not have additional information, as special victims was taking the lead on the case.
Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-8477, submit their tips online at nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to 274637, then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
Reach reporter Connor Adams Sheets by e-mail at csheets@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
