NYPD still searching for Central Park sexual assault suspect
Oct 26, 2026
Very concerning here right now.
Police are looking for a suspect. They say sexually assaulted
a 39-year-old woman here in Central Park Saturday night.
It happened and the attack began at East
66th Street right on Fifth Avenue.
And now police are looking for the man who did this. And the
details of this attack are disturbing
to those who once thought this area was safe. Now, NYPD
crime statistics show that the latest attack
was the fifth since the start of the year inside the
department's Central Park Precinct.
That's up from three rapes in the same region this time
last year. Now police say the nightmare unfolded right
at the edge of the park about 8 30 Saturday
night. A man believed to be in his 30s wearing a black hoodie,
black sweatpants and carrying a
black backpack threatened a woman with a knife
and forced her into a wooded area. The NYPD says
she was sexually assaulted.
A passerby called 911 and the suspect fled into the park. Sources say
the victim appeared to be homeless
and may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time
of the attack. Investigators
are now combing through surveillance video from the park and
buildings across the street for more leads on who he is.
Here's how former NYPD Lieutenant
Commander Ralph Celentro described the investigation.
I am not interested in anybody
making an excuse for this guy.
Well, she shouldn't have been running at night. I do not want to hear
that. You have to be able
to walk around Central Park without fear of being raped.
It's not a third world country.
You should be able to walk around Central Park. This woman's
out jogging, whatever she's doing.
There should be no fear. Well, I'm out too late. I'm out.
It's the police department's goal. It is their job to protect you.
Now, Mayor Mamdani responded to this and says
that his administration is working with the police
department to prevent attacks
and sexual assaults in the city if you have any information police
are asking you to call 1-800-577-TIPS you don't have to give your name