What to Know
- Police say a short man in a ponytail raped a woman on the Washington Bridge in August, and tried to rape another back in February
- Both women were in their 20s, and were walking to Manhattan late at night; they were treated at local hospitals
- Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers
Police are searching for a ponytailed man who allegedly raped one woman on the Washington Bridge, and tried to rape another.
The man followed a 20-year-old woman on Saturday, Aug. 25, at about 1:30 a.m., as she walked toward Manhattan on the Washington Bridge over the Harlem River, and showed a knife and allegedly said to her, "I want you," police said.
The man went through her bag, raped her on the ground, all while threatening her, "Do as I say or I'll kill you," according to police. He then ran off northbound on University Avenue.
The woman was treated and released from a local hospital.
The same man is believed to have first targeted a woman back on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at around 12:30 a.m., according to NYPD. He went up to a 26-year-old woman walking toward Manhattan on the Washington Bridge, showed a knife and demanded money, then put his hand inside of her pants.
He ran off westbound on West 181st Street, and the victim was treated and released at a local hospital.
Local
The suspect is about 5-feet-1, and was last seen wearing a dark gray shirt, baseball cap, dark pants and dark sneakers. Anyone with information is asked to contact NYPD Crime Stoppers.
Editor's Note: A previous version of this story gave the incorrect name of the bridge where the women were targeted; Washington Bridge is correct.
