A woman was attacked early Saturday morning in Woodlawn.

Police say it happened on E 235th street and Vireo Avenue around 1:30 a.m.

Surveillance footage exclusively obtained by News 12 shows a man come up behind the woman, wrap his arms around her neck and wrestle her to the ground. The woman was able to fight off the man before he ran off.

Community members tell News 12 they believe the man was trying to sexually assault the woman.

Neighbors say when her loud screams caught the attention of the community, they came out of their homes to help the woman.

Witnesses say she was visiting New York and before the man attacked her, he approached her asking her for a lighter.

The Woodlawn community is concerned about their safety. They want more police presence to prevent anything like this from happening again.

Police ask anyone with any information about the incident call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.