Police are on the lookout for a man who viciously attacked and attempted to rape a woman in Central Park early Saturday morning, adding to the surge in crime within the iconic New York City attraction. The incident occurred at around 5:10 a.m. near 85 East Drive in the northern end of the park. The 38-year-old victim was approached by an unknown assailant who pushed her over a metal fence, punched her multiple times in the face, and tried to rape her before fleeing the scene on a bicycle towards the north on 5th Ave.
Surveillance footage captured the suspect wearing a hoodie, a backward baseball cap, and a large food delivery bag on his back. The victim was promptly taken to the hospital by EMS and is currently in stable condition. This disturbing attack highlights the concerning rise in crime within Central Park, with a 13% increase in overall crime this year and a 34% surge compared to two years ago, according to NYPD data.
So far this year, two rapes have been reported to Central Park precinct police, matching the same period in 2023. However, robberies have more than doubled, with 37 reported incidents. Assaults in the park have also seen an increase. Despite the ongoing investigation, no arrests have been made as of Sunday morning.
The safety of visitors to Central Park remains a top priority for law enforcement officials as they work to apprehend the perpetrator responsible for this heinous attack. The community is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. It is crucial for individuals to take precautions and stay aware of their surroundings when visiting public spaces to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
