Police are searching for a man who allegedly groped a 20-year-old woman near the intersection of Clinton Street and Cadman Plaza West in Brooklyn on Wednesday, April 1, at about 7:55 a.m. Investigators say he came up from behind, grabbed her groin and buttocks, then took off.
The NYPD put out a "Wanted for a forcible touching" alert on April 9 through its Crime Stoppers social channels, sharing details of the encounter and asking the public to help identify the suspect. According to the NYPD Crime Stoppers' Facebook post, calls to the tip line are confidential, and tips can be submitted online through the department's Crime Stoppers site or by calling 1-800-577-TIPS. Spanish speakers can call 1-888-57-PISTA.
How to tip
Detectives are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or may have cellphone video to hold onto that footage and get in touch with the NYPD. Per the department's online guidance, tips can be shared at Crime Stoppers or by calling the hotline, and callers may remain anonymous.
What the charge means
In New York, nonconsensual contact with another person's sexual or intimate parts is charged as forcible touching, a class A misdemeanor. The statutory language and classification are outlined in Penal Law §130.52.
Local pattern and context
Police appeals for tips in forcible touching cases have been surfacing across Brooklyn in recent months, as investigators lean on public video and witness accounts in cases with limited leads. Coverage such as creep on the B41 and other local reporting has highlighted similar wanted alerts and the growing role of surveillance and rider-shot footage in these investigations.
Resources for survivors
Anyone affected by sexual violence can contact the national RAINN hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or use RAINN's online chat for confidential, round-the-clock support. Local help, including services at the Brooklyn Family Justice Center, is listed on the city's victim services pages; see RAINN and the city's victim services information for how to connect.
Anyone with information about the April 1 incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or submit an anonymous tip online. Spanish language assistance is available at 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The NYPD says all calls are kept strictly confidential.
