An Australian tourist visiting New York City was raped near a Midtown nightclub early Sunday morning, police said.
The 20-year-old woman left the club named Lavo before entering a cab. There was a fight between the woman and the driver, causing the tourist to exit the cab only after a short distance, police said.
The woman got out of the taxi on East 58th Street at around 3:30 a.m. and was then grabbed from behind and dragged into an alleyway.
She was then sexually assaulted, police said.
The woman reportedly got into another cab after the incident and text messaged a friend to tell her that she had just been raped, according to a law enforcement official. Authorities were notified and police met the woman at a different location she was going to on the west side of the city.
The tourist was reported to be intoxicated, according to officials, and could not recall the exact location where she was raped as a result.
Residents and workers in the neighborhood were shocked to hear the news of this sexual assault.
"It's a good neighborhood, it's a high-class neighborhood," said Joe Agate, a delivery person who works close to the nightclub.
Agate also said that it is usually quiet in the area when he works in the early morning.
The police has released a sketch of the suspect who is described to be 6 feet 2 inches tall, in his mid-to-late-30s and estimated to weigh about 190 pounds.
Authorities ask that anyone with information regarding the incident call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
