Police are searching for a man after a 24-year-old woman reported being groped in the East Village on Saturday night near East 5th Street and Avenue C, according to the NYPD. The woman told officers the man approached her, touched her between her buttocks and between her legs, then ran off on foot. Detectives have now released surveillance images of the man they want to identify and are asking neighbors for help.
According to NYPD Crime Stoppers, the department posted a "WANTED FOR A FORCIBLE TOUCHING" alert on X that includes still images of the suspect and a short summary of the incident. The June 26 post lists phone and online options for anonymous tips. It does not name a suspect, but notes that information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward.
Where it happened
Per the NYPD, the intersection of East 5th Street and Avenue C falls within the 9th Precinct, which covers the East Village and Tompkins Square Park area. The precinct, based nearby, handles follow-up on cases like this and oversees regular patrols in the neighborhood.
What the law says
Under New York State law, forcible touching is defined as intentionally touching another person's sexual or intimate parts either to gratify the offender's sexual desire or to degrade or abuse the victim. Jury instructions explain that conduct such as squeezing, grabbing or pinching can qualify. The offense is charged under Penal Law § 130.52 as a class A misdemeanor, according to the New York State Unified Court System.
How to help
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS, or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA. Tips can also be submitted online, and the NYPD Crime Stoppers site notes that rewards can go up to $3,500 for information that leads to an arrest. Police are also asking anyone who may have photos or video from the area that night to share them with investigators.
