An unidentified attacker who followed a woman into a Soho apartment building and raped her remains at large, authorities and sources disclosed on Monday.
The incident occurred around 4:10 a.m. on Sunday, when the perpetrator entered the building near Thompson and Prince streets, threatened to shoot the 23-year-old victim, and carried out the assault, according to police.
NYPD released surveillance footage showing the suspect walking along the sidewalk, initially passing the building’s entrance but then returning to enter after seeing someone else go in, potentially the victim.
The victim was ambushed while she was going up the stairs to her apartment, with the attacker, who was descending from the third floor, grabbing her from behind, dragging her to the second-floor hallway, and choking her, causing her injuries, as per sources.
Threatening the victim with a gun, the assailant warned her not to scream under the threat of being killed before proceeding to sexually assault her, leaving her with cuts and bruises.
Following the incident, the woman was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation, while the suspect remained at large as of Monday.
The suspect is described as having a dark complexion and slim build, last seen wearing a black hoodie with red heart-shaped lettering, gray pants with stripes, and orange sneakers.
Authorities urge anyone with information about the incident to contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish speakers. Tips can also be submitted online at the Crime Stoppers website or through @NYPDTips on social media.
