The woman, in her 30's, was attacked in the early morning hours last Saturday in the area of Monroe and 1st Streets around 1:15 a.m.
Now authorities have released a sketch of the suspect which has been posted on Facebook.
"Around that time it's quite busy around the streets, but still you've got to be careful," said area resident Paul Bychowsky.
And the suspect ran off in an unknown direction after the attack.
"It's a very safe area, I've always felt safe," said area resident Kaitlin Nares, adding that the suspect's picture did not look familiar to her.
Jennifer Mackie had already seen the sketch and was aware of the attack following Facebook.
"This is 'don't sit home', and there is 'Hoboken girl," she said. "They put the sketch out and they just said, be careful you're in Hoboken," said Mackie.
And Jessica Cruz is now aware, especially when she walks her dog Athena.
"Now I'm going to have to start second guessing it, especially at the late night hours. But it's never been an area where you would feel threatened at all. I'm a little scared now," said Cruz.
The suspect is described as a white/Hispanic male with a fair complexion, late 30's to early 40's, approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall, approximately 180 to 200 pounds, husky build with brown eyes, blonde hair, blonde goatee and scruffy beard.
He was last seen wearing a dark-colored hooded sweat shirt, dark jeans and backwards fitted cap under the hood.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit at (201) 915-1234. All calls will be kept confidential.
