On Sunday evening, a woman was sexually assaulted by an unknown suspect inside a playground at Soundview Park. The woman's cousin heard her screams and was able to come to her rescue. The New York City Police Department is now asking for the public's help in identifying the suspect involved in the assault.
Police responded to a report of a 53-year-old woman being approached by an unknown male at the Soundview Park playground in the Bronx at approximately 9:10 p.m. Sunday. Police say the man pulled the woman's hair, forcing her down to the ground before sitting on top of her, covering her mouth, and forcibly holding her by her neck.
The man then began touching the woman inappropriately before the woman was able to let out a scream. The suspect then repeatedly punched the individual in the face, according to police.
According to reports, the woman's 25-year-old cousin heard her scream and rushed to her rescue. Her cousin was able to pull the individual off of her, but the suspect was able to free himself. He began running west through the park and was last seen walking on Bruckner Boulevard, a street near the park, police said.
The woman was transported in an ambulance to a local hospital and was treated for a minor laceration on her lips and redness on her neck from the assault. She was later released, according to a statement from police.
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network estimates that an American is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds. It also estimates that over 55 percent of sexual assaults occur at or near the victim's home, and about 15 percent occur in public open spaces.
Using surveillance footage recorded at a nearby bodega approximately 30 minutes after the incident, police were able to identify what the suspect looked like and what he was wearing.
The footage shows a man wearing a black mask and purchasing what looks to be a soda or tea. His shirt is by the brand Kappa and is black with a blue and white stripe across the front.
"The individual being sought as a person of interest is described as a male, dark complexion, approximately 6' 2" tall, weighing 150 lbs., with a thin build, and short close cut dark hair," a statement released by NYPD states. "He was last seen wearing a gray du-rag, dark shirt, pants and sneakers."
The updated surveillance footage has been released and NYPD is asking people with any information to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
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