Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
UPDATE: Cops Arrest "Well-Dressed Groper" Suspect For At Least Two Incidents
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 13, 2012
Modified Apr 13, 2012
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 Apr 13, 2012
Modified Apr 13, 2012
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
[Update Below]Police are questioning a man who they believe may be the "well-dressed groper" who has attacked at least four women in Manhattan this year. This comes a day after Councilwomen Margaret Chin and Jessica Lappin distributed flyers around Chinatown warning women about the groper: "We're trying to make sure people know what this man looks like, so they can help us catch him," Lappin said.
The suspect—whom police described as a "well-dressed" white male in his 30s, around 5'11" and 180 pounds—most recent attack occurred on March 30, when he approached a 22-year-old woman on Chambers Street around 7:20 p.m. and put his hand between her legs as she was exiting the subway station. His other attacks have occurred at East 62 Street and Park Avenue, Varick Street and King Street, and 2nd Avenue and East 67 Street. Police will do several line-ups today with the victims to see if they can positively identify the suspect.
Video of "well-dressed" Manhattan groper from Gothamist on Vimeo.
Update: NYPD has arrested 26-year-old Karl Vanderwoude of Brooklyn. He has been charged with Unlawful Surveillance and Forcible Touching for the incident that occurred on 03/30/12, as well as two additional counts of Forcible Touching for the incident on 04/13/12. Police are still investigating the other two groping incidents. According to the NYPD, he was caught via a Crime Stoppers tip.
Tagged
forcible touching
groper
Karl Vanderwoude
manhattan
well-dressed groper
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
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
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 .