Bystanders intervened to stop a brazen attempted rape in broad daylight on a New York City subway platform.
A 25-year-old woman was waiting for the train around 11 a.m. on Saturday morning in an Upper East Side subway station when she was reportedly pushed to the ground by a man who subsequently attempted to rape her.
Video taken by bystanders and published by the police shows the man lying on top of the victim. Witnesses intervened and yelled, “Hey, get off her,” at the attacker, according to the New York Post. After the intervention, the man picked his sunglasses off of the floor and left the area.
We’re seeking the public’s help finding this man, wanted for attempted rape after this brazen and brutal sexual assault yesterday at the 63rd St / Lexington Ave station- Please call @NYPDTips at 800-577-TIPS with any information on his identity or if you witnessed this assault pic.twitter.com/MYbnW62GKS
— NYPD Transit (@NYPDTransit) August 30, 2020
The victim sustained minor injuries but refused medical attention.
“This is disturbing and disgraceful,” MTA spokeswoman Abbey Collins told reporters of the attack. “No one should ever have to experience this type of horrific attack in the transit system.”
ARRESTED: The suspect in this case has been apprehended and the investigation by @NYPDDetectives continues as we move forward to prosecution- We continue to encourage anyone with information on this or any other crime to contact @NYPDTips https://t.co/sytZngDeaS
— NYPD Transit (@NYPDTransit) August 30, 2020
On Sunday, officers arrested a suspect in the case.
New York City police are searching for a suspect who attacked an elderly man on the subway Friday night. The suspect reportedly produced a knife after a verbal altercation and slashed the man in the face.
Police say the victim is in serious but stable condition.
The attack comes as murders and shootings have increased in the city. According to the city’s crime statistics website, murders have risen from nine during the week of Aug. 17-23 last year to 17 in 2020. Rapes have decreased from 48 at this time in 2019 to 28 in 2020.
