Sketch released of suspect in attempted rape of 8-year old girl in the Bronx

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Police have released a sketch of the sexual predator who tried to rape an 8-year-old girl in the Bronx.

He attacked the young girl from behind as she entered her building on Walton Avenue at about 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, police said.

He covered her mouth and restrained her, then molested her, according to the New York City Police Department.

The suspect ran away after she started screaming.

The victim was taken to a local hospital where she was treated and released.

Miguel Lugo lives in the building with his little boy along with 10 and 5 year old daughters. "I can't even explain what goes through my head. It's incredible," said Lugo.

Lugo's window faces the building's entrance where the girl was assaulted.

He says when he heard her mother screaming, he knew right away something was wrong.

"My window was wide open. I was cooking for my kids and I heard the mother yelling for help," he said.

There are 2 schools right by the building where this happened, an elementary school next door and a middle school across the street.

And that has neighbors here on edge. Queen Shabazz has an 8 month old daughter and 7 year old son.

"He knows he can't go outside no more by himself. I used to send him outside to take the garbage, or his ride to school while I look out the window but now he can't do that no more," she said.

The suspect is described as about 5 feet 9 inches, 165 lbs., with light skin, clean shaven and wearing a dark fitted baseball cap, grey hooded sweat shirt, red T-shirt, ripped light jeans and grey sneakers.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS.

The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at http://WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

A $2,500 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.