Central Park, known for its beauty and serenity, was recently the scene of a rather unusual incident. A gunman attempted to rob a man of his phone in the park, but to everyone’s surprise, he ended up giving it back and apologizing because it wasn’t the device he was looking for. The victim, who was left stunned by the turn of events, recounted the bizarre encounter to The Post.

The incident took place at East 106th Street and East Drive in Central Park around 7:50 a.m. on a Saturday morning. Police sources revealed that there was a heavy police presence in the area following the attempted robbery.

According to the victim, he had stopped by the lake in the park to have a smoke when the armed robber approached him from behind and demanded his phone. The victim handed over his device, only to be told by the thief that it was not the phone he was after. The thief then returned the phone to the victim and offered an apology before fleeing the scene towards 106th Street and Fifth Avenue.

The suspect, described as a 26-year-old male wearing dark pants and a black hoodie, managed to evade the police who were on the scene, including NYPD aviation units. Despite the bizarre outcome of the incident, the victim was left shaken by the encounter.

This incident is just one of many recent incidents of robberies and assaults in Central Park, causing concern among visitors and residents alike. Data from the NYPD shows a staggering 222% increase in robberies in the park compared to the same period last year. With 29 reported incidents so far this year, surpassing the total number reported in 2019, it is clear that Central Park is facing a concerning rise in crime.

As authorities work to address the security challenges in the park, visitors are urged to remain vigilant and take precautions while enjoying the beauty of one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks.