23-Year-Old Woman Escapes Attempted Rape Near 7th Avenue; Cops Release Footage [Video]

Police have released footage of a suspect in an incident on Saturday, July 2. (Video via NYPD)

A 23-year-old woman escaped from an attempted rape early this morning within the vicinity of 7th Avenue and Garfield Place, cops say. The incident took place at approximately 4:40am on Saturday, July 2.

According to the police, an individual approached the victim from behind, pushed her to the ground, and began to pull down his pants. The victim threw her purse at the individual, who then fled the location in an unknown direction.

Police describe the suspect as male, approximately 25-30 years old, 5’10”-6’0″ tall, and 150-170 lb. He was last seen wearing a black hoodie and black sweatpants.

The incident marks the second attempted rape reported in our neighborhood within one week.

On Sunday, June 26, a 34-year-old woman escaped from an attempted rape in front of 586 16th Street (between Prospect Park Southwest and 11th Avenue). NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said cops are currently searching for two “persons of interest” in that case.

A police spokesperson said they have not drawn a connection at this time between the suspects in these two cases.

Several incidents previous to this week’s events have taken place nearby or within Prospect Park over the last few months, including a May 22 attempted rape on 2nd Street, and a jogger who fought off an attacker on April 20.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or by texting your tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Police say all calls are confidential.