Police released on Saturday night video footage of a man wanted for punching and then attempting to rape a 40-year-old woman on a Ridgewood street last week.
According to law enforcement sources, the incident took place at about 1:50 a.m. on Aug. 9 in the vicinity of Woodbine Street and Forest Avenue.
Authorities said the female victim became engaged in a conversation with the male suspect on the street. The NYPD described the man as being between 30 and 35 years of age with a light complexion and apparently of Middle Eastern descent. He stands 5 foot 6 inches tall; has black hair, brown eyes and a beard; and was last observed wearing a white, short-sleeved shirt, blue jeans and black sneakers.
Moments after talking with the woman, police said, the perpetrator pushed the woman inside the vestibule of a nearby apartment house. He then punched her in the face and attempted to take off her clothing.
Then, authorities said, a resident inside the building yelled at the man, who immediately fled the location in an unknown direction. Officers from the 104th Precinct responded to the location; the woman was not seriously injured.
Anyone with information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA), visit their website or send a text message to 274637 (CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
