Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Perv-On-Wheels: Skateboarding Groper Reportedly Apprehended!
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jul 21, 2011
Modified Jul 21, 2011
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
Ben Yakas
Published Jul 21, 2011
Modified Jul 21, 2011
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
Is this turning into the Summer of the Groper? In the past week, we've heard several first-hand accounts of an Upper East Side serial groper who has been attacking women for the past seven months. Then earlier today, we heard about the bicycle-riding groper attacking women all over Astoria. And now, it seems that a skateboarding groper has been apprehended by police on the Upper West Side near Columbia! Reader Mary M. recounted her experience with the groper this afternoon below:
Well there seems to be something in the air...
I've read about the UES groper, and I live in Astoria, so this morning I came across the why leave Astoria post about the bicycle gropers.
The latest (and I almost can't believe this actually happened), skateboard-by groping!
I'm currently teaching at a Summer camp near Columbia university. Today, as I was walking back to camp after lunch, on BROADWAY, about 1:15 pm, a guy on a skateboard was approaching me. He looks like a student, certainly not out of place. As he passes he reaches over and grabs my breast!
I didn't know what to think for the first 30 seconds, it was so odd! Luckily, I was right near the Columbia security booth so I immediately went there, spoke to them, and called 911.
The good news is, the cops caught the guy within 15 minutes! He had grabbed about 6 other girls around the same time and place. Phew!
What I wanna know, however, is how someone wakes up in the morning and decides "today, I'm going to put on my sweet straw fedora, skateboard through a busy campus area, and grab as many ladies as I can!" and you really expect to not get caught??
We called the police to get more details on the arrest, but they told us they had no information about it at the time, though once we told them the details we knew, they advised that we should call back a little later for more info.
Tagged
columbia university
gropers
perv
skateboarding groper
skateboards
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
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 .