Authorities are looking for a suspect they say grabbed an 81-year-old woman as she walked out of the elevator in her Tribeca apartment building, forced her into a stairwell and tried to rape her in the middle of the day Thursday.
Police say the suspect followed the woman into the elevator of the Beeker Street building shortly before 1 p.m., then followed her out when it stopped on her floor and attacked her. He stole her purse before attempting to rape her in the stairwell, then ran off.
Surveillance video released by police (above) shows the suspect in the elevator, then leaving the building lobby and walking down the street.
The woman refused medical attention at the scene.
Anyone with information about the suspect or the attack is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
