Queens police are searching for a serial rapist wanted for assaulting at least four women in the last eight months, authorities said. In all cases, he snuck up on the women, knocked them down and then sexually assaulted them.
The predator first struck on September 22, 2010, when he attacked a 37-year-old woman walking on 28th Street near 34th Avenue in Long Island City, police said. After the attack he fled on foot. The woman was taken to a nearby hospital where she was treated for minor injuries to her hands and legs.
The suspect struck again on December 3, in the first of three attacks on women in Flushing.  This first victim was 27 years old and the attack took place on Sanford Avenue and 147th Street. The next incident took place on February 27, on a 26-year-old woman outside 37-04 Bowne St. In the most recent attack on April 19, the suspect approached a 24-year-old woman in front of 44-35 Colden St.
A young woman interviewed last weekend in Long Island City said she was unaware of the attacks. “You’re kidding. I work as a waitress in Manhattan and I usually come home at about 3 a.m. From now on, I’ll get my roommate to meet me at the subway, or I’ll take a cab home and pay the driver to watch until I get into my house,” she said.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, in his twenties or thirties, five feet, five inches tall and 130 to 140 pounds, with dark hair and sideburns. He was reported to be wearing a black leather jacket, jeans and dark sneakers on at least one instance. The attacks take place from evening to early morning.
Cops said all the victims are Asian women in their 20s and 30s and each was walking alone when the suspect crept up behind them and knocked them to the ground.
Police are urging anyone with information to call the Crimestoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
–Liz Goff