Woman fights off attempted rapist in stairwell; NYPD looking for suspect

EAST HARLEM, N.Y. (WABC) -- Police are looking for a suspect in an attempted rape.

Around 5 a.m. March 25, the suspect followed a 19-year-old woman into an apartment building on Third Avenue, got onto an elevator with her and then dragged her out when it reached the 12th floor.

The suspect took her into a stairwell and attempted to rape her. The victim resisted, but the suspect stole her iPhone before fleeing.

The suspect is black, between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 9 inches, 170 to 180 pounds, and he was last seen wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, a black jacket with a white collar, blue jeans, and red sneakers.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).