As we reported last night, Police are asking for help finding a suspect accused of sexually assaulting a 9-year old girl in the Seward Park Library last week. The story is being widely covered by the city’s broadcast and print media. The details are difficult to hear, but given the fact that the suspect has not been caught we think it’s important to share all of the known facts about this crime. From WNBC:
In an exclusive interview with nbcnewyork.com, the girl, who is not being identified to protect her identity, says she left her mother for a moment to grab a book off a shelf. She knelt down in the aisle to read the book when a man approached her. “He asked me what color was my underwear,” she said. “Then he asked to see my underwear and I didn’t let him see it.” Stunned by the stranger’s question, the girl did not react. Within seconds she said the man groped her and then forced her to grope him. He stopped she said when he thought someone saw him. “I ran to my mom. I was crying,” she said, “And told her that a stranger was touching me and stuff.”
The incident happened at about 530pm last Thursday on the second floor, in the children’s section. Apparently there are no security cameras in the library, so police have little to go on but the girl’s description of the man. The victim and her family are Chinese, and do not speak much English. WCBS talked with a Seward Park librarian, who was in the branch when the incident happened:
“She was crying and she was red faced and she was frightened,” librarian Anne Rouyer said. Rouyer said the building’s security guard patrols all three floors, but he can’t be everywhere. When asked if there should be a concern for parents bringing their kids here by themselves, Rouyer said, “No, absolutely not. No.” But some parents said they fear for those unaccompanied by their mom or dad. “A lot of times a lot of the children are unattended, running around,” parent Jason Lee said.
Police released a sketch of the suspect, describing him as a white male in his mid-40s, approximately 5-foot-9 to 6 feet tall, with a medium build, and short salt-and-pepper hair. He was wearing a black t-shirt, shorts, a grey cap, and he was carrying a black bag with a strap.
Anyone with information about this crime should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You can also submit a tip by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
