Woman threatened in Crowne Plaza garage in Newton

NEWTON, Mass. (WHDH) -- Newton police are on the hunt for a man who they say tried to sexually assault a woman in the parking lot of the Crowne Plaza Hotel early Thursday morning.

“It’s scary, I mean you have to try to be cautious now a days,” said neighbor, Karen Santucci.

Investigators said the 49-year-old victim had just pulled into a parking spot on the second level of the Crown Plaza parking garage when it happened.

The woman said she was getting out of the car when a man approached her, took out a black handgun and threatened the victim saying he would kill her if she didn’t allow him to perform a sexual act on her.

The woman told police she quickly put her hand in her purse and moved it around, which was enough to scare the suspect and he backed away. She then hopped in her car and the suspect took off.

She then drove down to the hotel lobby and called police.

“You get people from all over different parts of the country here and people looking for special favors and it’s a good place for it right up in that parking lot there’s no security up there really and anyone can go up there basically,” said Richard Santucci.

A shocking crime in normally quiet and safe Newton.

“I guess it happens everywhere now a days,” said Karen Santucci.

“You gotta walk with someone all the time now a days. It’s not safe. Just not safe anymore!” said Richard Santucci.

Police are hoping someone will recognize the sketch they have released and contact them with information. They said the suspect may have used a Russian or Romanian accent.