The suspect behind an attempted rape attempt on the E train in Lower Manhattan on Feb. 9, 2022.
Photo courtesy of NYPD
Police collared a Queens man on Thursday afternoon who allegedly attempted to rape a young woman on board a subway train in Lower Manhattan the previous day.
Timothy Thomas, 23, of 203rd Street in Hollis was booked Thursday on charges of attempted rape, sexual abuse, forcible touching and unlawful imprisonment.
Sources familiar with the case said Thomas was picked up within the confines of Transit District 20, based in Briarwood, Queens, by officers who recognized the suspect’s description from a circulated wanted flier.
The NYPD released security camera images of the subway creep behind the attack, later identified as Thomas, which occurred on a Queens-bound E train near the Canal Street station at 10:20 a.m. on Feb. 9.
Law enforcement sources said the perpetrator accosted the 21-year-old woman, then pushed her into a corner of the train car and attempted to rape her.
But after the train stopped at Canal Street, authorities said, Thomas allegedly fled out of the car and ran through the station toward another arriving train on a different line.
The incident was reported to the 1st Precinct and NYPD Transit District 2. The victim was evaluated at the scene, and not seriously injured.
Police did not have details as to how many people were inside the train car at the time of the attack, or whether anyone had intervene to stop the rape attempt.
Ex-Brit turned Manhattan resident since 2008.