Holly MatkinNew York, NY – A Staten Island man was arrested for allegedly taking off his clothes and trying to rape a woman aboard a moving subway train earlier this month.
The attack occurred on the northbound 4 train shortly before 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 17, FOX News reported.
A 24-year-old woman later told investigators she was riding the subway train when a man she did not know sat down beside her, according to police.
The man allegedly proceeded to take off his pants and underwear, then climbed on top of the woman and rubbed his exposed penis on her, the New York Post reported.
Investigators said the suspect placed his hands on the woman’s body and attempted to remove the skirt she was wearing.
The victim managed to escape and ran to another train car during the brazen assault, the New York Post reported.
The suspect ultimately hopped off the train at the Bowling Green station, then got onto a ferry to Staten Island, FOX News reported.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) posted photos of the suspect in the wake of the attack in an attempt to identify him, WPIX reported.
New York City police arrested a man on Thursday for allegedly attempting to rape a woman last week on a moving subway train in Manhattan.
Chris Tapia, 23, of Staten Island, is charged with attempted rape, sexual abuse, forcible touching, and public lewdness. pic.twitter.com/DUehdlr3zS
— Deniride (@Edirined) November 25, 2022
The suspect was described as having a right eyebrow piercing and dyed blond hair.
The images showed him wearing a black jacket with a fur-trimmed hood, gray sweatpants, a gray hooded sweatshirt, and white shoes.
Police later identified him as 23-year-old Chris Tapia.
Officers apprehended Tapia on Nov. 24 and arrested him on charges of public lewdness, forcible touching, sexual abuse, and attempted rape, FOX News reported.
He was ordered to be held on $65,000 bail during his arraignment hearing on Nov. 25, according to the New York Post.
Sandy Malone
