A woman was the victim of an attempted rape in Riverside Park on Friday, and a male Columbia student was assaulted and robbed on Claremont Avenue early Saturday morning.
The 24-year-old woman was jogging along a wooded path between 122nd and 125th streets, when, at around 6 p.m., the suspect approached her from behind, grabbed her by the neck, and began to choke her, a spokesperson for the New York Police Department said.
The suspect, described as a Hispanic male between 35 and 40 years old, about 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, reportedly threw the victim to the ground and attempted to rape her, but was interrupted by witnesses.
The victim managed to fight off her assailant after being thrown to the ground and fled out of Riverside Park before a passing motorist came to her assistance, according to a Columbia Public Safety alert. She was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries, the NYPD spokesperson said.
The assailant was said to be wearing a blue baseball cap and backpack, both with the Nike “swoosh” insignia.
Around 4:10 a.m. on Saturday, a student walking south on Claremont Avenue reported that he was knocked to the ground by a man who demanded his property. The man was described as dark-skinned, 6 feet tall, and wearing a Cincinnati baseball hat and dark clothing.
Responding to victim-blaming comments on Bwog, the organizers of Take Back the Night—the march to end sexual violence that will take place this Thursday—said in a statement, “Sexual violence happens in our classrooms, in our dorms, in our fraternities and sororities, and on College Walk. When we walk around this campus, we can expect to have classes with, be friends with, be roommates with, be teammates with, be dating women, men, and people of all genders who have experienced sexual violence.”
Those with information about either assault may contact the 26th Precinct detective squad at 212-678-1351 or call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (8477).
The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at nypdcrimestoppers.com.
