Police Arrest Suspect in East Harlem Rape Attempt Caught on Tape

UPDATE 4:30 p.m.: The NYPD announced they have arrested a 22-year-old male in the attempted rape of a 31-year-old woman after following her into her apartment building.

The man, Justin Ramirez, who has no living address, has been charged with rape.

The incident was caught on tape by the apartment building's security camera.

ORIGINAL STORY

EAST HARLEM, NY — Police are asking the public to help catch a suspected attempted rapist who attacked a woman Monday in East Harlem.

The suspect, 18, followed a 31-year-old woman into her apartment building near East 102 Street and Park Avenue at around 7:15 p.m. Monday, police told Patch. Once inside, the suspect attempted to rape the woman in the building's staircase, police said. The woman was able to fend off the attacker.

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Police sent Patch this video of the attempted rape:

In the video the suspect is seen covering his face with a black T-shirt before and after the attack. The video also shows an unidentified man preventing the suspect from exiting the building at one point.

Police say the suspect is approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall and 130 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), text or submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website.

[Photo/video: NYPD]