Police in New York City are looking for a man who was caught on video wrapping a belt around a woman’s neck before sexually assaulting her while she was unconscious.
Investigators say the assault occurred on May 1 around 3 a.m. on East 152nd Street and Third Avenue in the Bronx’s Melrose neighborhood. In footage released by the NYPD, a man wearing a white sheet that covers his face is seen following the 45-year-old victim as she walks down the sidewalk. He then lassos a belt around her neck, making her fall down and hit her head. Police say the woman lost consciousness as a result. The video shows the attacker dragging her limp body several feet from the sidewalk to between two cars, where he sexually assaulted her. Police say the man then fled the scene on foot.
The suspect — who was wearing a blue Gap sweatshirt, white pants, and black, red, and white sneakers — has yet to be apprehended. In a post on X, the NYPD released two pictures of the man and encouraged the public to reach out if they have any information.
In recent days, uncensored footage of the assault had gone viral on social media. Police say the woman was treated at a local hospital and is recovering.
