Would-Be Harlem Home Burglar Sought By Police

HARLEM, NY — Police on Friday asked for help identifying a man accused of using a fire escape to try to break into a woman's Harlem apartment last week.

The attempted break-in happened around 3:25 a.m. on April 25 in an apartment building near West 130th Street and Lenox Avenue.

A man climbed the building's fire escape and tried to gain entry through an apartment's kitchen window. Meanwhile, a woman inside the apartment heard noises coming from the kitchen and "inspected the area," police said.

When the man saw her, he "quickly climbed down to the street" and fled north on foot along Lenox Avenue.

Police released surveillance footage Friday that appears to show the man climbing up the fire escape, then descending a short time later and continuing down the sidewalk.

The suspect was described as a man with dark-colored clothing and blue gloves.

Police asked anyone with information to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). People can also submit tips online or on Twitter, @NYPDTips.