Suspect wanted for attempted rape in College Point

COLLEGE POINT, Queens (WABC) -- Police are searching for the suspect in a frightening attack on a woman in Queens.

It happened on 121st Street in College Point around 4:45 a.m. Wednesday.

The good news is a surveillance camera got a pretty clear shot of the suspect.

The man in the video appears to be in his 20's with a pronounced tattoo of Jesus and a cross on his right arm.

Police say he approached his victim, a 51-year-old woman at around 4:45 a.m. on Wednesday.

At one point, he blocks her from walking any further.

Police say he told her he had a gun.

A few moments later, you can see the woman nervously turning around and following his instructions.

"She just said somebody dragged her between the two houses and tried to rape her," said Betsy Filacchione, the victim's neighbor.

"I've got to go see my detective," the victim said.

The victim, who wished not to be on camera, told Eyewitness News she fought off her attacker, and is now working closely with police who are hoping someone will recognize the clear shot of his face, not to mention the tattoo.

"The tattoo would be a definite telltale if he wears no sleeves," said Joyce Lorenz, a College Point resident.

Cops say the suspect ran south on 121st Street. Residents Eyewitness News talked to appeared not to recognize him.

But they think it's time to use a lot more caution.

"I've lived here my whole life and I'm thinking about getting surveillance cameras now for my home," said Bill Popp, a College Point resident.

Even in those early morning hours, when you think others are safely beginning their commute to work.

"I think it's horrible that this happened. Got to be careful, it's really sad," said Jing Zheng, the victim's neighbor.

The suspect is described as 23-25 years old, 5'11", 180 lbs., has a tattoo of a cross and Jesus on his right arm, and was last seen wearing a tank top, dark colored jeans, and yellow work boots.

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).