Police in Queens are asking for the public's help after a 13-year-old girl was allegedly groped Friday evening near 34th Avenue and 105th Street. Investigators say a man rode up, grabbed the girl's buttocks, then took off westbound on a bicycle. Authorities are offering a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest.
What Police Released
According to a post from NYPD Crime Stoppers, the incident happened Friday at about 5:04 p.m. in the 115th Precinct. The 13-year-old girl was walking in the area of 34th Avenue and 105th Street when an unidentified individual approached her and grabbed her buttocks. Police say the suspect then fled westbound on 34th Avenue on a bicycle.
The Crime Stoppers post notes that tips leading to an arrest and indictment may qualify for a reward of up to $3,500. Anyone with information can DM @NYPDTips on X or call the hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.
Forcible Touching and Penalties
Under New York Penal Law §130.52, forcible touching covers acts such as squeezing, grabbing or pinching another person's intimate parts. It is charged as a class A misdemeanor. A conviction can carry a sentence of up to one year in jail, and prosecutors treat unwanted sexual contact in public spaces as a serious offense.
Where This Fits Locally
Crime Stoppers alerts about groping and forcible touching have become a familiar sight in Queens, from subway platforms to bus routes, as investigators rely more on public footage and community tips. Hoodline has reported on related appeals tied to the Court Square escalator attack and a separate Q48 bus groping, highlighting why detectives keep asking residents and businesses to preserve video. Community members say sharing footage and checking door-cam clips can be key to identifying suspects without putting anyone directly in harm's way.
How to Report What You Know
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-800-577-TIPS, or use the Spanish line at 1-888-57-PISTA. Tips can also be submitted online through Crime Stoppers, or by messaging the department's public tip account on X.
If you witness an emergency or someone is in immediate danger, police say to call 911 first, then share any additional details with investigators. Tips that lead to an arrest and indictment may be eligible for the posted reward.
