Doorman prevents attempted rape on Upper East Side

UPPER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11) — Police are searching for an attempted rapist on the Upper East Side who was stopped by the quick work of a doorman with a flashlight.

Doorman Hector Mateo said on Sunday that he wished he could’ve done more to capture the suspect.

“I didn’t pursue him. I helped the little girl. She was down on the floor, bloody, crying and in shock,” Mateo said.

Police are still searching for a man who they said tried to rape a 19-year-old woman near Gracie Mansion around 1 a.m. Saturday. The woman was walking near East End Avenue and 90th Street when police said she was approached by the man, who pushed her to the ground and tried to rape her.

Other neighbors called 911 as Mateo grabbed a flashlight and allegedly scared the would-be rapist as he went comfort the victim.

“His instincts kicked up and he says time to go,” Mateo said. “She was shook up. From what she said, the guy tried to put his hands down her pants. The good news is he didn’t rape her.”

Police said the attempted rapist ran west on 90th Street. Police described him as about 5-foot-9, wearing a dark-colored shirt, blue jeans, and multicolored shoes.

Neighbors are concerned but praise the quick work of the doorman, calling him a hero.

“Absolutely. What he did was incredible,” said Gabby Newman, 20, who lives in doorman Mateo’s building. “I applaud him for it, absolutely.”

And another East Side resident, Tina Davis, chimed in:

“It was just terrifying, and I was so thankful for the doorman. They are a vital part of the city,” Davis said.

The victim was taken to New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center for treatment and observation. The NYPD‘s Manhattan Special Victims Squad is investigating.

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