Alleged Peeping Tom Stabbed Outside Greenport Supermarket: Police

GREENPORT, NY — A man who has been accused by neighbors of being a Peeping Tom in Greenport was stabbed in the abdomen Tuesday, police said.

According to Southold Town Police, James Lawrence, 39, of Greenport, was allegedly assaulted on Tuesday at 3:15 p.m. near the Greenport IGA.

Medical staff from Eastern Long Island Hospital alerted police about a victim of violence who was transported to the hospital by a Good Samaritan, police said.

Lawrence, of Greenport, was reportedly stabbed in the abdomen by an unknown individual, police said.

Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley told Patch Wednesday that Lawrence is believed to be the Peeping Tom residents say has been terrorizing the community.

In August, Greenport community members met to discuss the terror they say they have experienced, with the Peeping Tom on the loose.

One woman in the crowd said angrily, "He doesn't just look in the window. I think we're being very polite. He's not a Peeping Tom. He's a serial masturbator. I'm not afraid to say it."

Investigators have been unable to speak to Lawrence due to his medical condition, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Southold Police Detectives at (631)765-2600. All calls will be kept confidential.

Lawrence has been arrested in the past and charged with criminal trespassing. In 2014, a woman residing on Main Street in Greenport called 911 to report that a man had been peeping through her window while she lay sleeping on the couch.

She had observed the man at the window using a stick from the outside of the glass to move the curtain back so that he had a better view of the interior of the house, police said.

The woman, who was awakened by the trespasser’s activity, recognized the man at the window as James Lawrence, police said.

She arose from the couch and yelled at him and he ran away; when police arrived they were unable to locate Lawrence, police said.

The owner of the property where the incident had taken place wished to press charges, police said.

Southold Police wrote up the report and by the next evening had located and arrested James Lawrence, then 34 years of age, a resident of Greenport. He was transported to the Southold Police headquarters, processed and held.

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