After a rash of sexual assaults in Forest Hills and Corona, Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn are offering a free self-defense class in Forest Hills.
The class will be on Wednesday, Aug. 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Forest Hills Jewish Center at 106-06 Queens Blvd.
It’s open to anyone age 13 and up. Women and seniors are especially encouraged to attend.
Anyone attending is asked to RSVP by Aug. 7 to dcastaldi@council.nyc.gov or (212) 788-7276.
The class is in response to a series of sexual assaults by a suspect in Forest Hills.
Police say Ibrahima Ragis attacked two women in May and two in June. He also had an unknown accomplice in the latest attack.
• On Saturday, May 19, at 3:30 a.m., the victim, a 19-year-old woman was entering her home in Forest Hills when the suspect, armed with a knife, grabbed her, pulled her into a walkway and sexually abused her. The suspect took money and her phone before fleeing.
• On Monday, May 28, at 3 a.m., a 17-year- old girl was walking in front of her home in Forest Hills when the suspect, armed with a knife, approached her, put his hand over her mouth and dragged her into an ally. The suspect then raped the victim and fled the location.
• On Sunday, June 3, at 2:40 a.m., a 22-year-old woman was entering her home in the Forest Hills when the suspect, armed with a knife, demanded her property. The victim complied and the suspect, after being seen by a witness, fled the location with the victim’s property. There were no reported injuries.
• On Friday, June 22, at 2:30 a.m., a 20-year-old woman was walking in front of 97-11 Horace Harding Expressway when an unidentified man walked up behind her and sexually abused her. The victim, who was walking with a shopping cart, hit him with the cart and the suspect fled. Ibrahima Ragis then ran up to the victim, threw her to the ground and attempted to rape her. The victim fought back and the suspect fled. The victim was brought to an area hospital where she was treated for bruising and lacerations to her body.
The two are still on the loose.
Anyone with information regarding those crimes is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www. nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and entering TIP577.
All calls are strictly confidential.
