Central Park rape suspect wanted after woman attacked, hospitalized

Police are looking for the man who is accused of raping a woman in Central Park over the weekend. It's the latest instance of sexual assault in the park that's now leaving many women scared. Let's get right to Good Day's Jessica Formoso. She is live in Central Park with the latest on this latest instance of sexual assault there. Jessica, good morning. Good morning to Shani and Robert. We did speak with some women who use this park daily, and they are terrified after finding out that a woman was raped here in Central Park in a wooded area of the park over the weekend. Now, according to the latest NYPD stats, this is now the fifth rape in Central Park this year. Last week, there was another attack. Another woman was robbed by three individuals. But let's start with the rape. We do know that the victim is 39 years old. Police say it happened just after 8.30 Saturday night near East 66th Street and 5th Avenue. Investigators say the suspect approached the woman, threatened her with a knife, and sexually assaulted her in a wooded area of the park. The victim was taken to the hospital. The armed suspect on the loose this morning. Police say he fled the scene wearing a black sweatshirt and black pants with a black backpack. According to the latest NYPD stats, four rapes have been reported in Central Park. so far this year compared with three during the same period last year. Those figures don't include Saturday night's attack making it now five rapes. The attack is raising new concerns about safety in one of New York City's most iconic parks especially after dark. We spoke with one man who came across the crime scene on his way home. There were there were eight or ten police officers right in this area where we're standing um the the person who was not a police officer was a bit further sort of out just outside the park just outside the wall there um she seemed a little bit distressed highly concerned that's that's like the worst thing you know the worst thing that could happen especially as a as a female in the city other than you know actual fatality I think they have to do something in all areas, but in the park it's not getting better. It's getting worse. But I feel for the person there last night because I didn't hear anything when I walked by. It's devastating. Last week on the 18th, just before 10 p.m., also in Central Park, a 32-year-old woman was attacked and robbed on West 93rd Street and West Drive. Police say these three individuals you see on your screen are wanted for the attack. according to investigators the suspects surrounded the victim struck her in the head multiple times before robbing her all three suspects remain on the loose now if you have any information on either of the attacks police are asking for your help give them a call at 1-800-577-TIPS Tashani Robert certainly keep our eye on Jessica thank you for that update we'll check back in a little later