Newton police release sketch of suspect in attempted strangling

By Jillian Jorgensen, Globe Correspondent

Newton police released a sketch today of a man who allegedly tried to strangle a woman Monday inside the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Center.

The suspect is described as a dark-skinned Asian male who is approximately 40 years old and 5 feet 5 inches tall. He has a thin build and weighs about 120 pounds.

Police said the man walked into the center on Cherry Street at 3 p.m. Monday and asked for an employee by name. After he was told that person no longer worked there, the man asked to see a book in the library and showed an ID that appeared to be from the cultural center.

Inside the library, the man approached a 40-year-old woman and began to strangle her, police said. After the woman passed out, the man fled, police said.

The woman was taken to the Brigham and Women's Hospital. Police did not release details about her injuries or condition.

Anyone with information about the suspect or the attack should call Newton detectives at (617) 796-2104 or the police tip line at (617) 796-2121.

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