Exclusive: New video in East Village groping, assault
EAST VILLAGE, Manhattan (WABC) -- Eyewitness News has obtained exclusive new video in a groping and assault on a woman in the East Village.
The incident happened around 1:45 a.m. Saturday outside a building on First Avenue near 13th Street.
Police say the suspect grabbed the 37-year-old female victim's buttocks, and that when she confronted him, he punched her in the face numerous times.
She fought back, and the suspect then fled northbound on First Avenue.
People at a nearby restaurant heard the woman's screams and rushed to her aid, staying with her until authorities arrived while a man gave chase.
"It was really awful," said that man, who didn't want to be identified. "It could someone's sister. It could be someone's daughter."
The suspect is described as a white male in his early to mid 20s, approximately 5-foot-8 and 140 pounds, last seen wearing a dark-colored shirt and blue jeans.
"She couldn't remember a lot," the good Samaritan said. "She was in shock, so she couldn't remember that she fought him. She couldn't remember that. She was in big shock...That is really wrong. That guy should be brought to justice."
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).
