Man in custody in string of Williamsburg gropings; Police looking for more victims

WILLIAMSBURG (WABC) -- Police have a suspect in custody in connection with two gropings recently reported by women in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and they believe he may be behind a number of other incidents.

The man is at the Brooklyn Special Victims Unit, where lineups will be conducted throughout the day.

The first of the reported incidents happened around 8:15 a.m. on May 20, when a 29-year-old woman was groped on Herbert Street near Humboldt Street. Then, around 2:30 a.m. on May 30, a 25-year-old woman was groped on Jackson Street near Humboldt Street.

Detectives believe there are more potential victims who have not reported that they were also groped. If they come forward, detectives will conduct lineups and attempt to add their incidents to the pattern.

"It was kinda like a tap, a smack, definitely wasn't just like a touch," said one victim named Caitlin, who does not want her face shown on camera.

And definitely intentional, the 33-year old from Williamsburg said, as she described a groping incident on May 22.

"Definitely inappropriate," she said. ("It wasn't like he accidentally brushed up against you?") "No, no, no," she said. "Completely intentional, and it made me extremely angry so."

So she actually chased him, but he got away. And it's very similar to at least two other incidents that were reported to police, and about 9 others circulating in a local parenting group, after an email blast.

Lesley Melincoff's friend was groped on two separate occasions.

"I think for her, it went from her being upset, to her being angry, that it happened twice," said Melincoff.

And sources tell Eyewitness News that Thursday morning, another victim spotted the man she believed to be the attacker, called 9-1-1, and police now have him in custody.

But if this case does involve a serial groper, authorities say it's important for victims to contact them even if women think this is no big deal.

"Living in New York, you get used to a certain amount of catcalls and things like that," said Williamsburg resident Mary Ciccotto. "So something like a hit on the bottom might not seem like a big deal, but nobody should have to feel threatened."

"The past couple of weeks, I've been a little more on high alert," said Caitlin. "I haven't been out running in the morning anymore, just because it makes me nervous."

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