Virginia Man Arrested For Attempted Harlem Rape, Police Say

HARLEM, NY — A Virginia man is facing charges in connection with an attempted rape inside a Harlem apartment building, police said.

Christopher Strickland, 44, was arrested Sunday and charged with attempted rape, burglary, sex abuse and assault, police said. The Fredericksburg, Virginia resident is accused of following a 22-year-old into the entrance of her Harlem apartment building and attacking her, police said.

Strickland attacked the woman inside a building entrance on East 128 Street and Fifth Avenue around 5 a.m. on Aug. 25m police said. The would-be rapist grabbed her from behind by her throat and pushed her against a wall, police said.

The woman fought back and eventually chased the man from the building, police said. Strickland fled the scene by running east on 128th Street toward Madison Avenue, police said. The woman suffered a cut to the chest, but refused medical attention, police said.

Strickland is being held on $10,000 bail and makes his next court appearance on Sept. 14, according to court records.

Photo by NYPD