Police in SoHo need the public’s help in identifying a man who stalked and then violently raped a woman early Sunday morning.
NYPD officials released images and video of the man suspected of the horrific attack, which occurred at approximately 4:10 a.m. on April 21, inside a residential building at Thompson and Prince Streets in the trendy Lower Manhattan neighborhood.
Law enforcement sources said the suspect followed the victim, a 23-year-old female, into the building, ambushed her, placed her in a chokehold and sexually assaulted her. After the depraved assault, the perp then fled the scene on foot southbound on Thompson Street to parts unknown, police said.
The victim did not know her attacker, police said.
Officers from the 1st Precinct responded to the scene after the victim called 911. EMS also responded and brought the victim to an area hospital for medical evaluation.
Police described the suspect as a male with a dark complexion and slim build, who was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with red lettering that forms a heart shape, gray pants with stripes, and orange sneakers.
According to latest police data, rape cases in the 1st Precinct are similar year-to-date and almost on par with 2023. At this time last year, there were five reported rapes; this year there are 4.
Anyone with information regarding this incident can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
The NYPD maintains that rape is the most underreported crime in the city. Anyone who is a victim of sexual assault is urged to contact the 24-hour NYPD Special Victims Division hotline at 212-267-RAPE (7273).
