Cops near arrest in attack on tourist: sources
COPS ARE closing in on the violent predator who knocked a German tourist unconscious and sexually assaulted her during a robbery in Harlem, sources said Saturday.
Police have identified the man they strongly believe attacked the 31-year-old victim — and they are camped out at various places where he hangs out, including homes of friends and relatives, sources said. Police did not release his name.
Cops are confident he is the robber who approached the tourist on W. 146th St. near Frederick Douglass Blvd. and demanded her purse about 2:50 a.m. Thursday, officials said.
Disturbing surveillance footage shows him delivering crushing blows to the woman's head, knocking her teeth out, as she tried to protect herself.
Once she lost consciousness and fell to the ground, he snatched her purse and tore off her pants, police said. He went to walk away but turned back a second later and groped her.
The victim woke up and flagged down a bystander, who called 911.
Paramedics took the bloodied and bruised woman to Harlem Hospital where she is in serious but stable condition, cops said.
At one point, police were looking into whether a man they nabbed for a similar robbery was also behind the attack on the tourist — but they later ruled him out. Cops arrested Jesse Hardy, 28, for a robbery on April 24 that took place just four blocks away from where the tourist was attacked last week, authorities said.
But the Manhattan District Attorney’s office declined Saturday to prosecute the case against Hardy and he was set free.
Hardy, who lives in the Bronx, was briefly accused of attacking a 35-year-old woman from behind as she walked home from the subway. Police said Hardy pretended he had a weapon and grabbed her handbag.
“I have a gun, just give me your bag,” he demanded, according to cops.
Authorities initially said he pulled the woman’s pants down and groped her — but said Saturday they determined he only punched her in the face.
The District Attorney’s office didn’t provide the reason for their decision to not prosecute.