CENTRAL PARK, Manhattan (PIX11) – Police are on the hunt for a man accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Central Park on Monday.
The attack happened in broad daylight around 1:30 p.m. near West 140th Street and West Drive in the Great Hills area of the park, according to the NYPD. A 21-year-old woman was sunbathing when a man exposed himself to her and then tackled her, per police.
The woman screamed, according to authorities. The NYPD pulled resources from across Manhattan, including a helicopter and drones, to scour every part of the 800-acre park.
People walking in the park told PIX11 News that they believe police will catch the suspect soon.
While crime is on the rise in Central Park this year, sexual assaults are down by 72%, according to NYPD statistics. The crimes that typically happen in the park are robberies and assaults, per police.
The woman was taken to an area hospital and is working with Special Victims detectives. She's expected to be physically OK, according to authorities.
Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.
