A busy Midtown corner just off Times Square turned into the site of a sex crime in mid‑April, when police say a man grabbed a 17‑year‑old girl on the sidewalk and took off into the night.
The NYPD reports the incident happened at about 10:10 p.m. on April 16 at the southwest corner of West 43rd Street and 7th Avenue. According to detectives, the man walked up to the teen and grabbed her buttocks before fleeing the area.
Investigators have not yet identified the man and released the posted images this week in hopes someone recognizes him. According to NYPD Crime Stoppers, anyone with information, photos or video is urged to contact the tip line. The city’s Crime Stoppers program page notes that anonymous tips that lead to an arrest and indictment may be eligible for rewards of up to $3,500.
What the law calls forcible touching
Under New York Penal Law §130.52, this kind of incident falls under the crime of forcible touching. The statute defines it as intentionally touching another person’s sexual or intimate parts for the purpose of degrading them or for sexual gratification, and it explicitly includes “squeezing, grabbing or pinching.” The law classifies forcible touching as a class A misdemeanor.
How to report and preserve evidence
Police are asking anyone with tips or footage to save that material and share it directly with investigators rather than posting it publicly. The NYPD’s Special Victims Unit operates a 24‑hour sex‑crimes line at 646‑610‑7272 and 212‑267‑7273, and Crime Stoppers accepts anonymous tips at 1‑800‑577‑TIPS or via its internet tip form, per department guidance.
Where this happened
The intersection of West 43rd Street and 7th Avenue sits in the heart of Midtown Manhattan near Times Square and Penn Station, an area that sees heavy foot traffic at virtually all hours. Investigators are urging anyone who was nearby on the night of April 16 to review any phone videos or building security footage and to contact Crime Stoppers if they spot anything that could help the investigation.
Authorities say anyone with information can call the Crime Stoppers hotline or the NYPD sex‑crimes line, and that callers may remain anonymous. Tips may be eligible for a reward if they lead to an arrest and indictment, and officials emphasize that preserved footage can be crucial in identifying the suspect.
