Man On NYC Groping Spree Set A Woman's Hair On Fire, DA Says

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MIDTOWN, NY — A New York man was indicted after he went on a spree of sexually abusing women he did not know in Manhattan, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Wednesday.

According to Bragg, Edwin Page, 28, first groped a woman on April 25 at West 23rd Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues. Around 8 a.m., Page told the legally blind woman he was a detective, grabbed her buttocks, and then ran off, Bragg said.

The next four incidents all took place on April 28. First, at 12:11 p.m. on West 32nd Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues, Page approached a stranger and made comments about her being his girlfriend, before placing his genitals against her leg, Bragg said.

About 15 minutes later, near West 26th Street and Sixth Avenue, Page walked into a nail salon and again made comments about a different woman being his girlfriend. The victim tried to get up and walk away, but Page grabbed her buttocks, Bragg said.

Around half an hour later, near West 32nd Street and 6th Avenue, Page approached another victim in a store and lit her hair on fire, Bragg said. The victim was able to put out the fire before sustaining any injuries, Bragg said.

One minute later, Page approached a woman on Sixth Avenue, who was walking with her children and husband, and grabbed her buttocks, Bragg said.

He was arrested shortly after, Bragg said.

"This is an incredibly disturbing series of alleged incidents that targeted multiple victims," Bragg said. "I thank the NYPD for quickly apprehending this defendant, and urge anyone who has been the victim of a sexual abuse should call our Special Victims Division at 212-335-9373."

Page was charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of stalking in the first degree, one count of sexual abuse in the first degree, one count of sexual abuse in the third degree, one count of attempted assault in the second degree and three counts of forcible touching.

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