Several Brooklyn women say they realized they were groped on the street by the same man when they began sharing their stories and connecting with each other on social media.
Lesley Melincoff said her friend was groped last Friday in Williamsburg, and she decided to go online and alert their neighbors. She shared a message on an email group for parents in the neighborhood, and the response was immediate.
"I know I've spoken to nine women who have had either direct contact with this guy or have experiences," she said. "One woman's babysitter relayed a similar experience."
One woman told NBC 4 New York she was jogging near the intersection of Skillman and Manhattan avenues in Williamsburg on May 22 when a stranger slapped her on the behind.
"I know crazy things happen in this city but I've never had anyone touch me that way, and it was just super creepy and inappropriate, and I was definitely angry," the woman, who asked not to be identified out of concern for her safety, told NBC 4 New York.
Another alleged victim said, "As soon as I reported it, the police said they had other instances of this happening in the neighborhood."
Melincoff said eight or nine similar stories emerged within 12 hours.
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"It was a really incredible testament to the power of sharing this information on social media and sharing with your neighbors," she said.
The NYPD said it only received two formal reports regarding the alleged groper, but made a break in the case Thursday morning: detectives took a man into custody after getting a call from someone who didn't initially file a report.
Circumstances of his arrest and charges weren't immediately clear. Police have not yet identified the suspect.
