A 21-year-old woman walking near Jerome Avenue and East Fordham Road in the Bronx was groped by a stranger on June 10, according to police. Investigators say an unidentified man approached her at about 10:00 p.m., touched her private area over her clothing, then took off on foot. Detectives are now asking for the public's help to track him down.
Police Bulletin And How To Tip
In a Facebook post, NYPD Crime Stoppers labeled the case "WANTED FOR FORCIBLE TOUCHING" and listed the date, time and location of the incident. The notice urges anyone with information to call 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), use the Spanish line at 1-888-57-PISTA (74782), or submit tips online.
How To Report And What Crime Stoppers Offers
The city's Crime Stoppers program, administered by the New York City Police Foundation, offers rewards for anonymous tips and accepts online submissions, the NYPD says. The department's Crime Stoppers page lists the 800-577-TIPS hotline and an online portal for sharing details and images, and stresses that calls are confidential and may be eligible for a reward if they lead to an arrest, as outlined by the NYPD.
What The Law Says
Under New York Penal Law §130.52, forcible touching is the intentional, nonconsensual touching of another person's sexual or intimate parts for no legitimate purpose. The statute specifies that forcible touching includes "squeezing, grabbing or pinching." The offense is prosecuted as a class A misdemeanor, according to the New York State Senate.
Citywide Pattern And Local Reporting
This wanted bulletin is one of several similar Crime Stoppers alerts in recent weeks that follow groping reports on transit and city streets, a pattern local reporting has been tracking. Coverage from Bronx cops hunt subway groper and other outlets notes that police are increasingly urging witnesses to preserve original video files that could help identify suspects.
Anyone who saw the June 10 incident or has relevant footage is urged to hold on to the original files and contact NYPD Crime Stoppers, call 1-800-577-TIPS or the Spanish line at 1-888-57-PISTA, or submit a tip through the department's online portal. Tips can also be shared with the department's public tips account @NYPDTips on X and are accepted anonymously, the NYPD says.
