Rapist puts on mask and hides in bushes before attacking woman on her way home from work

A surveillance camera on a New York street has captured the chilling moment a rapist slipped a mask over his head and then crouched in bushes, waiting for his victim to walk past.

Police hope the video, filmed at 4.30am on September 2, will help them catch the man, who followed and then raped the 35-year-old woman in an alley in Queens.

According to Pix 11 News, the man walked behind the woman for several blocks along 84th street before putting a knife to her throat and demanding money.

He then dragged her to an alley between two houses and raped her.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic man, who is 160cm tall, with a slim build.

He was last seen wearing a dark-coloured shirt and jeans.

New York police have urged any members of the public who may have information to report it via their Crime Stoppers website.