Person of Interest in Central Park Sexual Assault in Custody, NYPD Says
Just over a week since a currently unidentified individual sexually assaulted a 21-year-old woman, a person of interest is in custody, the NYPD said on July 2.
| 03 Jul 2024 | 10:26
On June 27, the NYPD released a sketch depicting a suspect in a sexual assault case from three days prior. (
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A person of interest in a recent Central Park sexual assault case has been put in custody, the NYPD said on July 2.
The incident occurred on June 24, when police say a man “exposed himself” to a 21-year-old woman sunbathing in Central Park’s Great Hill area (near West Drive and 104th Street), before he “tackle[d] her from behind.”
The victim fought off her attacker, and a days-long search for a suspect—described at a conference the night of the attack by NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell as a Black man, about 30-years-old, and standing roughly six-feet tall—commenced.
Three days after the initial assault, police had a sketch of a possible suspect, one that matched the description Chell provided. Five days after that, the NYPD has a person of interest in custody.
It remains unconfirmed if this person of interest is the suspect depicted in the drawing, an entirely different suspect, or not even a suspect at all.
The New York Post reported that this individual may have ties to a June 15 incident at the West 103rd and Central Park West subway station, and that his placement in custody could be about that too, or even instead.
The NYPD could not comment on any other potential crime he may be questioned about.
No arrest had been made as of 10:20 a.m. on July 3. Police said the investigation is continuing.
