Police are on the hunt for a perpetrator who broke into an Upper East Side apartment early Saturday and sexually assaulted a 29-year-old woman before fleeing the scene. The disturbing incident occurred around 3:40 a.m. near East 92nd Street and First Avenue, where the attacker managed to gain entry into the apartment and attack the victim.

According to police sources, the woman was sleeping in her second-floor apartment when the intruder abruptly woke her up and proceeded to punch her in the face. The victim was then taken to Lenox Hill Hospital and is currently listed in stable condition, as reported by the NYPD.

Surveillance footage and a photo of the suspected rapist leaving the scene have been released by authorities. The individual was seen wearing blue jeans, a white shirt with a design on the front, and a jacket with a camouflage pattern. The NYPD is urging anyone with information about the accused rapist to come forward and contact NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS or visit their website.

This appalling assault adds to the growing number of sex crimes in New York City this year compared to the previous year. Just recently, a Montana woman was the victim of an attempted rape near a Greenwich Village subway station on September 15th. The perpetrator followed the woman out of the station, chased her down, physically assaulted her, and made threatening gestures.

Statistics from the NYPD show a 13% increase in reported rapes citywide this year compared to the same period last year, with 157 incidents recorded this year as opposed to 124 in 2023. In the 19th Precinct where the home invasion rape occurred, three rapes have been reported as of September 22nd, while none were reported during the same time last year.

The rise in sexual assaults has left residents feeling uneasy and unsafe in the city. Many individuals, like Heather, a financial services employee in the neighborhood, have altered their routines and behaviors due to safety concerns. Heather expressed her reluctance to walk alone at night, reflecting the pervasive sense of fear among city dwellers.

Similarly, Vera Aricha, an Upper West Side resident, shared her cautious approach to navigating the city, opting for alternative transportation methods and avoiding nighttime activities. The prevailing sentiment among residents is one of dissatisfaction and apprehension about the current state of safety in New York City.