Allen Taylor, 27, has been charged with attempted rape, burglary and sexual abuse. Police said he is homeless.
The incident happened just after 9:30 p.m. on West 113 Street between Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway in Morningside Heights.
SURVEILLANCE VIDEO OF SUSPECT
"We were walking right down there and we saw this guy looked pretty drunk so we kept turning around and looking back," said Zainie Jamali, a graduate student.
Columbia University graduate students Zainie Jamali and Hanna Abbas say they saw the man who tried to rape their neighbor, a fellow grad student Wednesday night, likely minutes after the attack.
"He was sort of sidestepping one way and I remember thinking I'm so glad there's a doorman there. He was standing outside. I wondered if I should call someone but I thought I was being presumptuous. So when I saw the photo in the morning I was really, really shocked," Jamali said.
Police say the 27-year-old student was returning home from jogging. The suspect, later caught on surveillance video, was holding the front door to her Morningside Heights apartment building.
Inside the vestibule, he grabbed her and threw her to the ground. She struggled and screamed, so he took off running.
"The fact that it happened on my street has become a big concern," said Cameron Molina, a junior.
"It's quite astonishing because it happens here because it's a safe area. It really scares me," said Wen Chou, a graduate student.
The victim was bruised and believes her attacker followed her home. Students say this is a reminder to be vigilant. Students are advised that if they observe anyone acting in a suspicious manner or feel threatened in any way, call the police immediately by dialing 911.
Also, Public Safety operates a Morningside area shuttle bus that runs every evening.
Anyone with any information in regards to this incident is asked to call Crime stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).