83-Year-Old Woman Fights Off Attempted Rape Suspect

NYPD Hunts Suspect After Attempted Sexual Assault of 83-Year-Old Woman in Inwood

By Dan Gesslein 

Manhattan Voice 

October 30, 2026

NEW YORK, NY – An 83-year-old woman fought off an attempted rape suspect in Inwood, Manhattan, after a man allegedly followed her into her apartment building and tried to force his way into her apartment, police said.

The attempted sexual assault in Inwood happened at approximately 9 a.m. on October 26, near the intersection of Vermilyea Avenue and West 204th Street in Upper Manhattan.

According to the NYPD, the elderly woman was returning to her apartment building when a man followed her inside.

As the woman approached the entrance to her apartment, she saw the man exposing himself, police said. The suspect then allegedly began making unwanted sexual advances toward her, prompting the woman to run inside her apartment.

The man allegedly attempted to force his way through the apartment door, but the 83-year-old Inwood woman fought back and managed to hold the suspect off long enough to lock her door.

The suspect then fled the building, according to police.

EMS personnel later treated the woman for minor injuries.

NYPD Releases Description of Inwood Attempted Rape Suspect

Following an investigation into the attempted rape in Inwood, NYC, police identified a suspect and obtained images from multiple surveillance cameras, including footage from a nearby supermarket.

The NYPD is searching for a man wanted in connection with the attempted sexual assault of an 83-year-old woman in Manhattan.

Police describe the suspect as a male with a dark complexion, medium build and a goatee.

At the time of the incident, the suspect was reportedly wearing: a black du-rag, a black jacket with a blue hoodie underneath and a watch with a gold band on his left wrist.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information about the Inwood attempted rape investigation is asked to contact the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline.

Tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). Spanish-speaking callers can contact 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

The public can also submit anonymous tips online at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/  or through X at @NYPDTips.

All calls are confidential.