Police Investigate Three Separate Upper Manhattan Assaults

To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

Police were investigating Sunday three unrelated attacks on women in Washington Heights and Inwood that took place over the weekend.

The first incident happened around 10:40 p.m. Friday in Inwood Hill Park.

Investigators say a 28-year-old woman was approached outside the ball fields in Inwood Hill Park by a man who struck up a conversation, then forced her into a secluded area and sexually assaulted her.

After the attack, officials say the suspect fled on a red mountain bike.

"It's just very deserted and isolated. It's not somewhere I would want to be in off hours," said a female local.

Investigators have also released surveillance video of a Saturday attack on a 37-year-old woman in nearby Washington Heights.

Officials say around 2:15 a.m. Saturday a man, seen above right, followed the woman into an apartment building, pulled out a knife and sexually assaulted her.

He then robbed the victim before fleeing the scene.

The most recent attack, also in Washington Heights, happened early this morning on 184th Street and Bennett Avenue.

Police say a man approached the victim in the middle of the street and attempted to remove her clothes, then fled to a nearby platform for the A subway line.

The last incident happened a block from the 34th Precinct Stationhouse.

Community leaders were shocked that the incidents happened so quickly and so close to a police station.

"I know they're on the case, but clearly the number of police officers are at an all-time low. So we have requested, or will be requesting Monday morning, that [Police] Commissioner [Ray] Kelly assign an additional 20 police officers to northern Manhattan," said Manhattan Councilman Robert Jackson.

With three alleged attackers on the loose, women in the neighborhoods said they would be a lot more vigilant.

"I think women should just take precautions. Buddy up, make sure that someone knows where you're going at all times," said a local.

"Made me feel a little nervous. I'm definitely going to watch out a little more," said another.

Anyone with information on these cases should contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or text CRIMES and then enter TIP577, or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.