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Sunbathing woman in Central Park fights off man attempting to sexually assault her: NYPD

By and
Updated  June 24, 2024 6:25pm EDT
Central Park
FOX 5 NY

Woman fights off attempted rapist in Central Park

Police are scouring Central Park and the surrounding area after a man attempted to rape a sunbathing 21-year-old woman in broad daylight on Monday afternoon.

CENTRAL PARK - Police are searching for a suspect they say attempted to rape a sunbathing woman in Central Park on Monday afternoon.

Authorities say the incident happened near 104th Street and West Drive around 1:30 p.m. in a more secluded area of the park.

A 21-year-old woman was sunbathing in the Great Hill area when she saw a man coming towards her, exposing himself. She screamed and ran off, he tackled her from behind, and then attempted to rape her.

The woman was able to fight off the suspect and he fled the scene. 

"We have a level two mobilization in this park as we speak. Heavy resources will remain here to assist our detective bureau as they scour the park for witnesses and exterior cameras around the park, and extended from the park," Chief of Patrol John Chell said. 

The victim is in a local hospital speaking with Special Victim Detectives. She had also given them a description of the suspect.

The suspect is described as a man standing six feet tall, with a dark complexion, medium build, curly hair, and was last seen wearing light-colored shorts and a shirt.