A search is underway for a man who police say raped a woman outside, and the suspect was caught on surveillance video.

Investigators say the man approached the victim on Putnam Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant at around 3 a.m. Monday. Although he never displayed a weapon, investigators say he threatened to shoot the 52-year-old woman unless she followed him to a building on Lefferts Place.

The suspect pushed his fingers down the victim's throat and raped her near an outside staircase, according to investigators. The victim lost two teeth during the attack and is listed in stable condition.

Neighbors say the staircase, which leads to a basement, is a problem area because bushes hide it from view. 

They are expressing disbelief over the attack and fear for their loved ones. "My mother's 91 years old," says Stephanie Hall, of Bed-Stuy. "She can't even come out and clean her front yard? Come on."

The suspect is described as being in his 30s and possibly has bite marks on his right hand.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.