Suspect arrested after woman raped while out for morning run in NYC

A homeless man connected to at least two other sex crimes was arrested on Thursday in connection to the rape of a 43-year-old woman who was out for a morning run in Hudson River park in Manhattan's West Village.

According to the New York Post, the suspect, a 29-year-old man, has at least 25 prior arrests and was taken into custody at the Port Authority bus station. He allegedly was wanted in connection to an attack on another woman out on a run in March.

The NYPD says it received a 911 call about Thursday's attack just before 6 a.m.

The woman was running near Pier 45 when she was approached from behind by the suspect, choked, and assaulted. Police say the suspect also robbed the victim, stealing her cell phone and credit cards before taking off. 

EMS took her to a local hospital for treatment.

People walking along the West Side told FOX 5 NY that the attack had left them feeling on edge.

"The violation and the overall sense of not being able to do your morning run alone in a city that should be safe… it just brings tears to my eyes," one person told FOX 5 NY. 

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