Authorities say the 23-year-old victim was returning to her apartment in Forest Hills just before 4 a.m. when she was grabbed from behind near Queens Boulevard and 71st Street.
Police released a sketch of the man on Monday. He is described as a Hispanic male approximately 25 to 30 years old, standing about 5-foot-10 and last seen wearing a red T-shirt and a red baseball cap.
Authorities say the suspect sexually assaulted the woman and tried to rape her.
He was scared off by a passerby who heard the victim's cries for help.
The victim was treated at Elmhurst Hospital.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
