Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Soho Rapist Asked Victim for Cigarette Before Attack
By
Jen Chung
Published May 29, 2008
Modified May 29, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published May 29, 2008
Modified May 29, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Yesterday, police scoured Soho for clues after a 19-year-old was sexually assaulted in her apartment building on Prince Street near Sullivan. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly confirmed the victim was followed home from the subway station by the attacker:
"She was followed by an individual who asked her for a cigarette. She did give him a cigarette. She went into her residence; he followed her upstairs. He then accosted her, dragged her downstairs, and sexually assaulted her."
The suspect used a box cutter to threaten her. After he fled, the victim "crawled up to her apartment" where one of her roommates called 911. She was taken to Bellevue for her injuries.
Kelly said it was unclear if yesterday's attack was related to a sexual assault on Sullivan Street in April. The suspect is described as a black man, about 5'8" and 200 pounds, with a possibly pockmarked face, and he may be between 20-30 years old. The News reports "Law enforcement sources said the suspect may have a speech impediment or a heavy accent."
Kelly also explained the spike in rapes (before yesterday's attack, here have been 6 rapes so far this year--compared with 3 during the same period in 2007) was because the neighborhood has become more residential. Still, one resident told the Post, "This is getting scary. I feel like predators are all around here. My husband and I talk about moving all the time. We don't want our children exposed to this."
Tagged
first precinct
followed from subway station
nypd
rape
Ray Kelly
sexual assault
soho
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
ICE agent shoots, injures immigrant man in NYC's Marble Hill, DHS says
The agency says the man is alive and hospitalized.
By
Giulia Heyward
and
Arya Sundaram
Published Oct 8, 2026 at 5:33 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 8, 2026 at 11:20 p.m. ET
Lazy drivers in Prospect Heights lose chance for 1 less day of alternate-side parking
A pilot found that drivers actually complied with alternate-side less when fewer days were in effect.
By
Liam Quigley
News
Lazy drivers in Prospect Heights lose chance for 1 less day of alternate-side parking
A pilot found that drivers actually complied with alternate-side less when fewer days were in effect.
By
Liam Quigley
Jersey City mayor shakes up staff amid $255M budget gap
By
Michael Sol Warren
Bronx residents will be exempt from new Medicaid work rule, state officials say
By
Caroline Lewis
MTA chair accuses Andy Byford, who's leading Penn Station rebuild, of going 'full MAGA'
By
Stephen Nessen
and
Carol Chen
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .