Police are searching for a man who forced a woman into an elevator and sexually assaulted her in the early morning hours on the Upper West Side.

Police say the man followed a 27-year-old woman into her apartment building on Broadway in the 70s at about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Once inside, he grabbed the woman, forced her into the elevator and groped her until the doors opened, when she was able to flee.

Women in the neighborhood said the attack was worrisome.

"It's definitely very scary, especially for a girl who's walking around the area. It could happen to anybody," said one woman.

The man is described as about 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet tall and weighing about 150 to 170 pounds. He was last seen wearing a gray shirt, brown beaded necklace, blue jeans and black sneakers. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS or at nypdcrimestoppers.com.