Police are searching for the man who raped a Middletown woman at knifepoint before robbing her.

Police say the 36-year-old victim was leaving a Wallkill Blockbuster Saturday afternoon when the attacker forced her into her car and made her drive to a secluded area in Hamptonburgh, where he raped her.

After the assault, the woman was ordered to drive near Routes 207 and 747 in New Windsor. Police say the man then stole her cell phone and $40 before leaving the car.

The victim was able to give police a "solid" description of her attacker, who police say has a red tattoo with a number on each side on his left forearm.

Soon after receiving the description, police from several agencies were in New Windsor looking for the suspect. At one point, he was believed to have been spotted along Route 207, but took off into the woods.The incident has left females in the area unnerved, some saying they now take their significant other with them. "You [just] don't feel safe in the area until you know he's been apprehended," says Kristie Phillipson.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call police at 845-567-1033.