Police are asking for help finding the man they say held a deli worker at knifepoint and sexually assault her.

The victim told News 12 that she was working by herself at the Island Deli on New York Avenue in Huntington Station when the suspect followed her into the walk-in refrigerator.

At that point, she says her attacker pulled out a knife and began to forcibly touch her. She fought back and was able to get herself out the front door to call police.

The incident occurred on Aug. 30 around noon, police say.

Police say the attacker had been a regular customer. The detective on the case tells News 12 he's likely on the run.

"The fact that we haven't found him yet makes me think he may have left the state already," says Detective James Scimone.

The worker says she was taken to a hospital, and after being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, she was back at work just a few days later.

Through a translator, she told News 12: “I want [police] to catch him and for him to pay for this because he's left me sick. Physically and psychologically.”

There is a $5,000 reward being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the sexual assault suspect.

Authorities are urging anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.