Updated

Police in New York City are searching for a man after they say he was caught on a surveillance video grabbing a woman from behind, knocking her to the ground and beating her in an attempted rape.

The 34-year-old woman was able to fend off the attack early Sunday morning in the Windsor Terrace section of Brooklyn.

Video released by police of the graphic scene shows the suspect walking up behind the woman as she walked along a residential street. They say lifted her dress and pulled down her underwear. The video shows him knocking her to the ground and hitting her several times.

Police say the woman refused medical attention.