NEW YORK – A man’s swift actions helped save his aunt from an attempted sexual assault by an attacker when she was in a Bronx park, police said.
The assault happened around 9 p.m. Sunday, police said, as a family watched a soccer game at Soundview Park. The victim returned to her car to search for a lawn chair, when a stranger knocked her to the ground by her hair, according to police. The man sat on top of her and covered her mouth, but she managed to let out some screams.
“I heard my aunt screaming, calling me. She was gasping for breath, ”said her nephew.
The attacker got scared when he rushed to help his aunt.
“I saw the man fighting with my aunt. He was a tall guy, ”he said. “I tried to stop him. He pushed me back and started to run. He threatened me. “
In the park Wednesday, another man who was with his family couldn’t believe the blatant attack on what he calls a safe park heavily patrolled by police.
“It’s scary, it’s crazy because the police are always around, they’re always on patrol,” said Noel Hernández. “They even get involved, play with the kids and everything. They talk to families. They are very involved in the community. “
A new video released by the police shows the man who the police believe is responsible for the attack. And now the nephew hopes they’ll arrest him soon.
“All I know is that this person cannot be in the community,” he said. “Today my family, tomorrow it could be anyone, even a child, a defenseless person.”
The man said his aunt is okay physically, but not okay emotionally. A reward is offered for any information leading to an arrest in the case.
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