Man in vicious assault, attempted rape arrested

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NY) - Police made an arrest in a vicious assault on a woman during an attempted rape.

Xavier Lazu, 20, of West 164th Street in Manhattan, was taken into custody hours after the NYPD released video of the suspect. 

According to police, Lazu is seen in a deli's security camera recording purchasing a beverage. 

In the assault in front of a church at 510 West 165th Street, Lazu ran up from behind and wrapped his arms around the 23-year-old victim while putting his hand over her mouth, according to cops. He then dragged the woman under an awning and threatened to stab her if she screamed.

Lazu then shoved the woman against a wall, pulled down her pants and tried to rape her, said police. When he was unsuccessful, he forced her to perform oral sex.

A passerby approached and he fled eastbound along West 165th St.

He was described as a dark-skinned male, 25 to 30 years old, 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 11 inches with eyeglasses. He was last seen wearing a green coat with a fur-lined hood, black sweatpants and gray sneakers.