Police released on Monday morning footage of a man who allegedly groped a woman on the streets of Astoria earlier this month.
Law enforcement sources said the trouble began at about 1 a.m. on Aug. 3, when a 28-year-old woman walking along Astoria Boulevard westbound between 18th and 14th streets noticed a man following her.
While walking in front of a building on Astoria Boulevard and 12th Street, authorities said, the creep suddenly grabbed her from behind and spun her around to face him. He then reached under the victim’s skirt and grabbed her buttocks.
Police said the woman screamed, which prompted the suspect to flee the scene in an unknown direction.
Officers from the 114th Precinct responded to a report of the incident. The woman was not injured.
Cops described the suspect as a man with a light complexion between 30 and 35 years of age, standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds, with black hair and a slim build. He was last seen wearing a white shirt with the word “Hollister” written on it, gray shorts and red sneakers.
A video camera located near the corner of Astoria Boulevard and 14th Street recorded this video of the suspect just before the assault:
Anyone with information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA), visit the Crime Stoppers website or send a text message to 274637 (CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
