Alleged Harlem Rapist Said To Be Spotted

The man suspected of raping and torturing a Columbia University student last week may have been seen near the campus, university officials told students in an e-mail yesterday.

At approximately 2:40 a.m. the night manager of a supermarket was looking at a newspaper when he spotted a man that resembled a police sketch of the suspect, the manager of the store, Larry Levi, said.

"He was in shock," Mr. Levi said of the night manager. "He didn't want to approach the guy, so he waited until he left and called the police."

Detectives closed down Apple Tree Supermarket — next to Columbia's campus on 120th Street and Amsterdam Avenue — for several hours and are reviewing surveillance camera footage.