Police release photo of suspected Park Slope groper

Fourth report since Aug. 9 has neighborhood up in arms

August 26, 2024 Mary Frost

Police released this surveillance photo of a man suspected in an Aug. 9 sexual groping incident near Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Other reported molestations took place shortly afterwards on Aug. 10, 13 and 14. Photo: NYPD

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PARK SLOPE — Another report of a woman being sexually groped in Park Slope near Prospect Park came to light Sunday — and police have released a photo of the suspect in the incident.

Police said a 39-year-old woman was walking near the intersection of Eighth Street and Eighth Avenue on Aug. 9 at 11:45 p.m. when an unidentified man approached her from behind and touched her buttocks. The male then fled the scene to parts unknown. In the photo, the man appears to have a light complexion with dark hair, wearing a blue t-shirt and dark pants.

It was the fourth report released by police in a series of similar incidents, which residents fear are becoming more aggressive. Other reported molestations took place shortly afterwards on Aug. 10, 13 and 14.

All the reported episodes took place near Prospect Park West, police said.

At least one description of a suspect varies from the others, so the same man may not be responsible for all the attacks.

Previous reports

On Aug. 10 at about 11:45 p.m., a 39-year-old woman was in front of 495 Eighth St., about a block from the park, when an unknown man grabbed her buttocks and then fled westbound on Eighth Street. He is described as a male with a dark complexion, last seen wearing a black t-shirt.

On Aug. 13 at roughly 10:06 p.m., a 32-year-old woman was opposite 608 Fifth St., just across the street from the park, when a man forcibly touched her buttocks, police said. He fled westbound on Fifth Street. He is described as a male, approximately 5’ 10”, 160 lbs. with a light complexion, and was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and black pants.

On Wednesday, Aug. 14, just before 1 a.m., a 34-year-old woman was walking her dog in the vicinity of Prospect Park West and First Street when an unknown man came from behind and forcibly touched her groin and buttocks, police said. The individual fled westbound on Fifth Street. He is described as a male with a light complexion, and was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and black pants.

One victim — whose account matches one of these police reports — posted on Reddit/Park Slope, “Women, please be careful in this area after dark. This incident felt violent and I believe his crimes will escalate.”

Another commenter on Reddit reached out to the Brooklyn Eagle. He said these attacks have apparently been going on for months, all within the same few blocks along Eighth Avenue and Prospect Park West.

Yet another commenter posted, “They appeared to start around April, when a peeping tom known as the Park Slope Prowler started masturbating in people’s windows. Then he escalated to following women at night, hiding behind cars and trees and then emerging to expose himself. Recently he’s escalated to full-on violence, jumping women and forcibly touching them. What’s next?”

Councilmember Shahana Hanif. Photo: Emily Leshner/AP

Hanif asks for more patrols

Councilmember Shahana Hanif (D-Park Slope, Gowanus, Cobble Hill) said in a news-blast last week that she has asked the 78th Precinct to temporarily assign more patrols to the area.

“Over the last week, I have received extremely troubling reports of sexual assault and harassment affecting women in Park Slope,” she said. “My office has been actively engaging with local law enforcement and other elected officials to address these serious concerns. I have made sure that the NYPD’s 78th Precinct is aware of the issue and am working to understand the steps being taken to investigate and address them. As an immediate measure, I am advocating for the Precinct to strengthen patrols in the area, especially during the evening hours when these incidents have been most frequent.”

Hanif added, “If you encounter any such incidents or have concerns, please report them directly to 911. Your reports are crucial for prompt action and ensuring the safety of our community.”

An investigation is ongoing, a police spokesperson told the Eagle.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on X @NYPDTips.