A 30-year-old Manhattan man was arrested for allegedly making an attempt to rape an 84-year-old lady at a Decrease East Facet Park — one week after attempting to kiss a stranger in the identical neighborhood, authorities mentioned.
Ian Grandison allegedly barged right into a restroom stall at Sara D. Roosevelt Park round 2:50 p.m. on March 11, forcing the octogenarian to the bottom and yanking down her undergarments, based on a prison grievance obtained by The Put up.
The alleged creep then took off his personal pants and underwear earlier than a heroic witness intervened, the grievance mentioned.
The nice Samaritan dragged Grandison away from the battered sufferer and managed to take an image of her alleged attacker as he fled the scene.
When police tracked down Grandison six hours later at his Tribeca residence, they confirmed him that very same photograph, and he admitted, “That’s me,” the grievance mentioned.
Locals and vacationers having fun with the park Wednesday night have been on excessive alert.
“It’s form of surprising to listen to, particularly because it was in the midst of the day,” Angie Brokaw, a 31-year-old vacationer from Texas, instructed The Put up.
Brokaw added that information of the assault reminded her to purchase pepper spray, noting that the errand was now “a should.”
“I are inclined to suppose that, if I’m out in a public place like a busy park, I’m most likely protected and perhaps I’m not on my guard as a lot as I needs to be,” she mentioned.
Gabriel Cay, a local New Yorker, refuses to depart his residence with out his trusty Taser.
“That is ridiculous. It’s f–king Gotham metropolis,” he mentioned.
Mackenzie Romig, a 26-year-old ceramics artist who lives within the neighborhood, instructed The Put up that Sara D. Roosevelt Park “is slightly sketchy on a regular basis.”
“I like this space, but it surely’s scary to listen to stuff like [the assault],” she mentioned,
“Usually within the daytime, I really feel protected strolling round, however I’m at all times attempting to be vigilant,” she added.
Grandison can also be accused of forcing himself onto one other lady on the Decrease East Facet on March 4.
He allegedly tailed the lady for 5 minutes earlier than cornering her on Price Avenue. He yanked her towards him and leaned in together with his lips pursed whereas restraining her by her higher arms, based on the identical grievance.
The sufferer fled in a automobile. She additionally took an image of her assailant, seen carrying the identical outfit as Grandison was throughout the purported assault in Sara D. Roosevelt Park.
When Grandison was proven the image, he instructed officers, “That’s me once I simply acquired out of Bellevue [Hospital],” the grievance mentioned.
Grandison was charged with tried rape, tried sexual abuse, and stalking. He’s being held on a $300,000 bond and is ready to seem in court docket on April 15.
