EAST HARLEM — A woman was groped in the 10th attack in the area by a serial groper in recent months, police said.
The 21-year-old woman was approached from behind by the man on Sunday afternoon, police said. He walked very close to her and started speaking to her. She told him to leave her alone and pushed him away, police said.
The man then grabbed her crotch and fled, police said.
The most recent attack was the second time the suspect struck over the weekend. On Saturday, he lifted up the skirt of a 27-year-old woman as she entered the turnstiles at the 59th Street subway station on Lexington Avenue. Police said the man may have tried to videotape the woman.
The suspect, who remains at large, was caught on camera exiting a subway turnstyle on July 17 following a separate attack.
He is described as standing between 4-foot-11 to 5-foot-3, and was last seen with a spiky hairdo, striped collared T-shirt and jeans.
Detectives believe the suspect may work in a kitchen, because the attacks come at odd hours, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said Tuesday. Police also believe that the man has a job where he doesn't often come into contact with the public.
The sex-attack spree began in May, when the suspect placed his hand up a woman's skirt and grabbed her crotch, police said. He then struck again in similar attacks throughout June and July.
Kelly added the suspect tried to rape a victim in one of the incidents.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
