Police: Woman sexually assaulted after suspect followed her from Sunset Park train stop

SUNSET PARK, Brooklyn (WABC) -- Police are trying to track down the man who followed a woman to her Brooklyn apartment and tried to rape her.

Residents living in a Sunset Park apartment building near 4th Avenue, where police say the woman was sexually assaulted on Saturday night say they are 'not surprised' the suspect managed to get inside.

"Anybody can come and go as they please. It's open all the time, so whoever walks in walks in - there's no lock," says Ashley Torres.

Police say the assault happened around 11:30 p.m. inside the stairwell of the building. The 38-year-old woman got off the R train at the 25th Street stop, and walked seven blocks to her friend's apartment. The suspect followed her the entire way, passing right by the 72nd Precinct.

"And the precinct is right here around the corner - it's like, how bad could it get over here?" said Jose Diaz.

Police say the suspect then followed the victim up the stairs and grabbed her between the first and second floors. A struggle ensued, the victim fell and she was sexually abused. The man fled the scene, but investigators say he left behind evidence.

The suspect was captured on surveillance cameras in the neighborhood:

The suspect is described as a 23-year-old man who is between 5'8" and 5'10", weighing 150-160 pounds with short, straight black hair. He was last seen wearing a two-toned bubble jacket with dark jeans.

"It does bother me, and the fact that there's no door to lock. There's no protection," said Jennifer Pereria.

Police say the victim is from the Bronx. She sustained minor injuries, and refused medical attention.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).