Brooklyn cops are hunting a man they say went on a mid-April spree of sex crimes along the Flatbush Avenue corridor, targeting at least five women in a tight stretch of central Brooklyn. The alleged pattern includes groping, slaps and grabbing women by the neck, according to investigators. Police say none of the victims reported injuries, but detectives are warning residents and transit riders to stay sharp while the search continues.
What police say
According to police, the series began when a man allegedly slapped the buttocks of a 25-year-old woman near Lincoln Road and Flatbush Avenue. The next day, they say, he slapped a 37-year-old woman and then punched a 31-year-old woman in the arm while performing a lewd act in the same general area.
Investigators say that on April 14, he approached a 27-year-old woman near Lefferts Avenue and put his hands over her neck. On April 17, he allegedly placed his hands on the neck of a 33-year-old woman near Flatbush Avenue and Maple Street. Authorities also reported a final incident at Flatbush Avenue and Lefferts Avenue in which the suspect allegedly put his hands on a 30-year-old woman's neck, according to News 12.
Where it happened
The reported incidents cluster along a busy segment of Flatbush Avenue that works as a major transit and shopping spine through central Brooklyn. The strip is packed with buses, subway access and foot traffic, which local advocates say can create cover for predatory behavior on crowded sidewalks and transit stops.
It is also the same general area where a March case on the B41 bus near Flatbush Avenue and Empire Boulevard raised alarms among riders, in what police described as another disturbing groping incident. That earlier case was detailed in creep on the B41.
Police appeal and tips
Investigators are asking anyone who might have seen the suspect or captured him on cellphone or surveillance video to contact NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. Tips can also be sent online or through the department's tip account and are kept confidential, officials say. News 12 reports that detectives are actively running down leads as the case develops.
Legal context
Police say the reported behavior could fall under New York's "forcible touching" statute, which covers non-consensual touching of intimate parts. Under New York Penal Law §130.52, forcible touching is a class A misdemeanor that can carry up to 364 days in jail, depending on the case. Whether prosecutors opt for misdemeanor charges or seek more serious felonies typically hinges on the specific facts, such as any use of force or other aggravating factors. Details on the statute are outlined in the criminal jury instructions from the New York Courts.
Pattern and community concern
Other recent reports of lewd behavior and groping on buses and near subway hubs have already put Flatbush-area riders on edge. Community groups say they want to see more visible patrols in problem zones, along with better lighting on darker blocks and around transit stops.
A March incident on a bus near Prospect Park that left an 18-year-old rider shaken, described in a Patch report, has been frequently cited by neighbors calling for stronger action. Advocates argue that targeted patrols, improved lighting and expanded use of surveillance cameras could help both deter similar conduct and give investigators more to work with after the fact.
Police say the Flatbush investigation is ongoing. Anyone who recognizes the man or has relevant footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers immediately. This story will be updated as authorities release more information.
