Authorities have ramped up their efforts to catch a sexual predator who snuck into four North Shore homes since Sunday to watch and grope female victims.
“We’re worried that his behavior is going to escalate,” said Nassau County Police Detective Lt. Kevin Smith, noting the perpetrator didn’t steal anything. “His conduct has led us to believe that some sexual motive is at place here.”
Police said the man — described as a Hispanic with dark hair, aged 25 to 30, approximately 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-10 — entered into a Great Neck home Sunday morning and held a wet rag to a 15-year-old girl’s face before she broke free.
Between 2:50 and 4:43 a.m. Wednesday, police believe the same man went to two Kings Point houses and another in Great Neck. At the first, the perp lurked over two girls, ages 5 and 1, before they woke and alerted their parents. At the second home, a 63-year-old woman saw the man trying to enter through a broken window. In the fourth instance, a 61-year-old woman woke up to find the man holding a kitchen knife at her throat. She managed to wrest it away from him.
Police said they have increased patrols, including canine and aviation units. Smith urged residents to close windows and lock doors.
Along Middle Neck Road in Great Neck, shoppers shared the latest information. “It’s a concern. This is unusual for this neighborhood,” one woman said.
