WARNING: Story contains disturbing details.

In Melrose, The Bronx, a horrific incident unfolded as a man allegedly used his belt like a lasso, choking a woman unconscious before sexually assaulting her on a street last week.

Late Friday afternoon, detectives identified the suspect as Kashaan Parks, 39, who has five prior arrests, according to the NYPD, and is now sought in connection with what authorities describe as a heinous crime.

Residents in the area where the assault occurred, near East 152nd Street and Third Avenue, echoed the shock and horror felt by many. “I was really shocked to see someone take a belt — that’s a weapon — and to use it around somebody’s neck and just pull it like that,” said Darlene Jackson, a longtime resident of the area.

AMINAL ON THE LOOSE: The NYPD is looking for Kashaan Parks, 39, who used a belt to choke out a woman on 152nd St & 3rd Ave before dragging her between two parked cars and raped her. HE HAS 5 PRIOR ARRESTS. pic.twitter.com/hflaFvZ8cL pic.twitter.com/HALDVnM3TF

— NYScanner (@nyscanner) May 10, 2024

The harrowing attack, captured on surveillance video, shows the assailant approaching the woman from behind and throwing a belt over her head, choking her unconscious. As she struggles to remove the belt, he drags her between parked cars and sexually assaults her, according to detectives. The incident took place around 5 a.m. on May 1.

The revelation of the assault has left many in the community feeling less safe. “After I saw the video,” said a resident named Joannie, “I was like, I’m not going outside because I don’t know what’s going to happen to me, like what happened to this lady.”

Police disclosed late Friday that the victim, a 45-year-old woman, is acquainted with the suspect from the neighborhood. Despite the trauma, she managed to make her way to Lincoln Hospital, four blocks away, where she sought medical attention.

Advocates for survivors of sexual assault commended the victim’s courage in seeking help. Cynthia Amadeo, CEO of Barrier Free Living, praised her for “seeking out resources for herself” after the assault.

Although the victim initially did not report the crime, detectives emphasized the importance of her eventual disclosure. They highlighted the video as a crucial piece of evidence and a potential source of encouragement for other survivors to come forward.

“This person sought help, this person spoke up,” said Amadeo. The message to other survivors, she added, is that there may be justice and support available to them as well.