MIDTOWN — A homeless man was arrested Thursday afternoon after a Port Authority police officer saw him grope a young woman near the Lincoln Tunnel.
According to police, the officer saw John McConnoel, 56, walk up behind the 18-year-old and grab her buttocks at the corner of 41st Street and Dyer Avenue, near the entrance to the tunnel.
Police said a second 18-year-old girl came forward while the officer was placing McConnoel under arrest, and told the officer that he had touched her as well.
Witnesses in the area confirmed the victims' accounts, police said. Both women declined medical attention.
The officer arrested McConnoel for both incidents and charged with forcible touching and sexual abuse. He was held on $2000 bond and will be back in court on Oct. 22.
