BREAKING: Another Attempted Sexual Assault Went Down Last Night

This time it was on Prospect Ave between 4th and 5th Aves. From FIPS reader J:

"I thought you might want to alert the community: There was another sexual assault this evening in Park Slope, on Prospect Avenue between 4th and 5th avenues.  I was walking home from the R train at Prospect Avenue around 10:15 pm.  I came out of the train and there was a cop car and several detectives outside talking in a serious-looking manner.  I saw two girls in the back of the cop car.  Then a news crew came up behind them.  There were detectives going door to door on Prospect Avenue to see if anyone witnessed the crime.  I talked to one of the detectives and they said they believe it is the same perpetrator or same in the string of perps.  Same story--guy came up behind the woman and attacked her.  She was screaming so loud the neighbors came outside to see what was going on, and the guy fled.

I applaud all the effort our community, as well as the communities in Sunset Park and Greenwood Heights, have made to address these crimes.  I hope we all continue to stand together and support each other, letting these events serve as a stark reminder that sexual assault is a public health problem that affects ALL of us."

And some more from FIPS reader M, who happens to live on that block:

"Please let your readers know that a detective just stopped by my apartment to ask if I heard any commotion on the street about an hour ago. He said a woman was attacked on my block (Prospect between 4th and 5th) around 9:30 tonight. Same description as the other attacks - he approached her from behind, grabbed her and groped her. Unfortunately I had no information for him because I was on the phone at the time (with headphones in). The detective said her description was similar to those given of the other suspect(s). This block is bordered on one side by the expressway, so there aren't as many buildings from which people might witness an attack... but still, it's a highly trafficked block. And this incident happened around 9:45 p.m. - that's not late-night. Please tell your readers to be AWARE and VIGILANT. I am just about ready to start carrying a machete when I leave my apartment after dark.

Best wishes and stay safe."

Here is the official statement of the 72nd Precinct:

"On Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at approx 9:15 pm at Prospect Ave between 4th Ave and 5th Ave, a female was approached by a male Hispanic that forcibly grabbed her breasts and ran.  The female had just exited the Prospect Ave train station "R" line and was walking eastbound on Prospect Ave when she was approached by a male Hispanic, approximately 5'7", thin build wearing dark shirt, baggy dark blue jeans and a baseball hat. After the male forcible touched the female he fled westbound on Prospect Ave toward 4th Ave. The female did not sustain any injuries. Investigation is continuing."

By my count, this brings the number of incidents up to 11. The police sketches of the possible three two suspects are above (the first two renderings are two interpretations of the same suspect).

It's really starting to feel a bit Summer of Sam-ish around here...please be careful! Don't forget about the free self defense classes, free bike rides home, and keep up-to-date on Safe Slope's safe walks and spaces.

Comments

[Justin Lee]

Maybe it's time to resurrect the Guardian Angels concept. Grab some truncheons and just roam the streets.