Police hunt for possible serial rapist

(Paterson - WABC, December 1, 2006) (WABC) -- The search is on in New Jersey for a rapist who police say is pulling woman right off the street.

There have been at least two attacks so far, according to authorities.

Police say they think the attacker, in both cases, is the same man.

One victim is a 25-year-old woman. The other, a 16-year-old girl.

Both rapes were reported in Paterson this week.

That's where we find Stacey Sager with the story.

"I worry about it," Paterson resident Yudel Kys said.

And Kys isn't the only one.

Police in Paterson say they are very concerned about two sexual attacks in just three days.

Authorities say the latest attack was Wednesday night at East 39th Street.

Two days earlier, in broad daylight, the teen was reportedly attacked on East 19th Street.

Police say they haven't ruled out a connection because of similarities between the two attacks.

"One of the key similiarities is that they were grabbed from behind and dragged into the backyards," Lieutenant Richard Reyes said.

And the victims in both cases were also similar. Both were young Hispanic women. And each gave a similar description of the attacker. But neither victim saw his face.

Young women in the community say they are concerned, enough to take extra precautions on the streets.

"Life is getting tough, and everybody needs to be careful," Kys said.

"I'm a woman, and I know I'm pretty," Paterson resident Nicole Atkinson said. "Some guys, you never know what they're really after. So you just have to be careful. Now you have to think twice."

Police are asking anyone with information to call.

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