Man charged with attacking NYU student has 16 prior arrests
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A man accused of attacking a New York University student is now facing allegations of another random assault in Manhattan, along with charges of burglarizing off-campus residences.

James Rizzo, age 45, has been apprehended and charged with forcible touching, persistent sexual abuse, and assault. This follows an incident where he allegedly attacked 20-year-old Amelia Lewis in an unprovoked manner on Monday morning, as reported by the New York City Police Department (NYPD).

Security cameras captured the shocking moment when Rizzo, identified as a Level 2 sex offender, reportedly approached Lewis from behind. He allegedly slapped her on the head and buttocks, pulled her hair, and then fled the scene, according to police accounts.

“When I turned around, I saw this older white man and, just as I faced him, he grabbed my hair, yanked it, and threw me to the ground,” Lewis recounted in a video she shared on social media.

Two mugshots of James Rizzo, 45, who is charged in the random attack on an NYU student. Rizzo appears on New York’s Sex Offender Registry as a Level 2 offender.

Rizzo has a history of offenses, with his record showing 16 prior arrests, many related to sexual crimes. His status as a Level 2 sex offender is confirmed by the New York Division of Criminal Justice Services.

The alleged attack reportedly occurred just days after Rizzo randomly assaulted another woman on the streets of New York City. 

Rizzo, who reportedly has 16 prior arrests, allegedly pushed a 68-year-old woman in Midtown Manhattan at around 8:45 p.m. on Thanksgiving, according to the New York Post.

The victim, Jana Dianne Brazell, was reportedly visiting her sister-in-law in the city when the incident occurred.

Police escort James Rizzo out of a Manhattan precinct in a nighttime perp walk.

Police escort James Rizzo out of a Manhattan precinct. (FNTV)

“I was about a step or two behind her, and out of nowhere this guy appears in my face and starts talking crazy talk, like, ‘Our whole society is a f—— joke, right?’” Brazell told the Post. 

“He stepped back,” she added. “I thought, ‘Thank goodness he’s moving away.” The next thing I know, I’m flying in the air, and I hit this glass wall at the side of a building. I just slid down.” 

According to Brazell, the entire encounter lasted “six seconds,” in which Rizzo allegedly struck her from behind with his elbow, causing her to fall to the ground and requiring her to receive six stitches, according to ABC 7.

WATCH: Suspect in attack on NYU student escorted by NYPD

Rizzo was arrested Tuesday after he was found allegedly breaking into an NYU off-campus housing complex, the outlet reported. 

In addition to the alleged assaults, Rizzo was caught burglarizing multiple apartments in the Washington Square Park area at around 1 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Post. 

The thefts included multiple electronic devices, a suitcase, a backpack and other items totaling $3,150 in value, the outlet reported. Authorities tracked one of the laptops and discovered it was still in the building, which led investigators to Rizzo, who was “alone in a vacant penthouse surrounded by the items that were stolen,” according to Assistant District Attorney Kailey Wilk. 

The NYPD and NYU did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. 

During his arraignment, Rizzo’s defense attorney reportedly requested that he be granted supervised release, citing his persistent housing instability and mental illness. Rizzo, who was released from prison in September, had also not checked in with his parole officer since Oct. 23, the Post reported.

“We could not find Mr. Rizzo until he was arrested yesterday,” the parole officer reportedly said. 

Rizzo was reportedly ordered held without bail, and a New York City judge also requested he receive a psychological evaluation while in custody. 

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