The NYPD is investigating a viral video that appears to depict a violent sexual assault on a woman in the Bronx earlier this month. The incident occurred near East 152nd Street and 3rd Avenue on May 1 around 3 a.m.
The video depicts a 45-year-old woman walking along the sidewalk at the intersection of East 152nd Street and Third Avenue. Suddenly, a perpetrator with a white towel covering his face approaches her from behind. He produces a belt, places it around the woman’s neck, causing her to lose consciousness. Subsequently, he drags her behind a car and commits a sexual assault, as reported by the police.
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The video was posted online with little information besides that it happened in New York.
Crimes against women continue to plague NYC. Just yesterday for example, a 17-year-old… pic.twitter.com/hwzSJ2rUYI
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) May 9, 2024
As reported by The Washington Post, after the incident, the man escaped on foot in the direction of Melrose Avenue, disappearing from view. Authorities are still searching for him.
Authorities have confirmed that the woman was taken to a nearby hospital and is currently in stable condition.
According to the NYPD, there is reason to believe that the man and the woman are acquainted, and the man was familiar with her daily routine.
Residents are rightfully concerned about their well-being and are calling for increased security measures in the area.
“It’s sad for women, it’s sad for everybody, but women take the worst part,” One resident, Justo Cordero, told abc7NY.
“At any given moment someone can come and hurt you and police, when they need to be here they’re not,” another resident Luz Hernandez, said.
In recent months, there has been an alarming increase in violence against women in New York City. Several women have been randomly punched in the face while walking on the streets.
Additionally, there has been a 5.1% decrease in reported rape cases this year. By May 5, 2023, the city recorded a total of 511 reported rapes, the highest number in recent history.
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