Police: Woman Assaulted at Knifepoint in Central Park

WHO:

ABC7 New York - Pablo Agustim Escobar, who was visiting Central Park for the NYRR Kids Race, said, “I cannot even imagine hoe she would feel and I hope the responsible is found.”

ABC7 New York - Councilwoman Virginia Maloney said, “I run in Central Park myself. Women deserve to feel safe there, at any hour.”

ABC7 New York - Witness Andrew Trahair said he saw eight police officers and a woman who appeared shaken shortly after the attack.

ABC7 New York - Parkgoer Jenny Lee said she waited until daylight before entering the park.

ABC7 New York - Ian Moreira said the incident was “very scary” because he often visits the area.

NY Post - Law-enforcement sources said the victim did not appear to know her attacker, based on the preliminary investigation.

NBC News - The victim was a 39-year-old woman.

NBC News - The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is investigating; police have not released a suspect description.

NBC News - City Council Speaker Julie Menin condemned the attack in a post on X.

NY Post - Police said a woman was sexually assaulted.

WHAT:

Gothamist - Police had made no arrests as of Monday.

ABC7 New York - Investigators believe the suspect is in his 30s; he was last seen wearing a black hoodie and black sweatpants and carrying a black backpack.

ABC7 New York - NYPD statistics cited in the report showed four reported rapes so far that year, compared with three during the same period in 2025; the figures excluded the weekend’s assault.

NY Post - The attack was the fifth rape reported in Central Park that year, according to the article’s headline.

NBC News - Police said a man displayed a knife and sexually assaulted the woman.

NBC News - The victim was taken to a local hospital and was in stable condition.

NBC News - No arrests had been made, and the investigation was ongoing.

NBC News - Menin said, “I am outraged by this horrific act of violence.” She added, “My thoughts are with the survivor, and I hope she makes a full recovery,” and said, “Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe in our city. The perpetrator remains at large, but I have confidence that the NYPD will work swiftly to apprehend him and bring him to justice.”

NBC News - NBC New York reported that three men attacked a woman riding her bicycle through Central Park in the evening. She told police they hit her in the head and that she fought back; one man grabbed her bag before the men fled. She suffered minor injuries to her face, neck and back.

WHERE:

NY Post - The reported rape count referred to Central Park.

NBC News - The assault took place near East 66th Street and Fifth Avenue in Central Park.

NY Post - Police said the assault occurred near East 67th Street in Central Park.

NBC News - The victim was taken to a local area hospital.

WHEN:

ABC7 New York - Investigators said the attack happened at about 8:30 p.m.; Trahair said he arrived at the scene at about 8:45 p.m.

NBC News - Police said they were called around 9:30 p.m.

NBC News - The attack occurred on a Saturday evening.

NY Post - Police said the assault occurred Saturday night.

HOW:

ABC7 New York - The suspect fled the scene.

NBC News - According to police, a man approached the woman, displayed a knife and sexually assaulted her.

NBC News - Police were called to the incident, and the victim was transported to a hospital.

(UPDATED October 26, 2026 20:05 UTC)

A 39-year-old woman was sexually assaulted at knifepoint while riding her bicycle through Central Park on Saturday evening, near East 66th Street and Fifth Avenue; she was taken to a hospital in stable condition. Police say the attacker fled, and no arrests have been made as the NYPD investigates; investigators believe the suspect is in his 30s and was last seen wearing a black hoodie and black sweatpants and carrying a black backpack. The attack has left parkgoers shaken, and City Council Speaker Julie Menin condemned the violence and said every New Yorker deserves to feel safe.

(UPDATED October 26, 2026 10:10 UTC)

A 39-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in Central Park after a man displayed a knife, and no arrests have been made. Police say three men attacked her as she rode her bicycle near East 66th Street and Fifth Avenue on a Saturday evening. The men struck her in the head, and she fought back; one grabbed her bag before they fled. She suffered minor injuries to her face, neck and back, and was taken to a hospital in stable condition. Investigators believe the attacker may be in his 30s and was last seen wearing a black hoodie and sweatpants and carrying a black backpack. Police have not released a suspect description, and the investigation is ongoing. Preliminary findings indicate the victim did not appear to know her attacker. City Council Speaker Julie Menin condemned the violence, while parkgoers and a councilwoman said the attack has heightened concerns about safety.

(UPDATED October 25, 2026 23:04 UTC)

A 39-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in Central Park after a man displayed a knife, police said. The attack happened on a Saturday evening near East 66th Street and Fifth Avenue, and officers were called around 9:30 p.m. The woman was riding her bicycle when three men attacked her, according to a local report. She told police they hit her in the head and that she fought back; one man grabbed her bag before the group fled. She suffered minor injuries to her face, neck and back and was taken to a hospital in stable condition. Preliminary investigative findings suggest she did not know her attacker. No arrests have been made, and police have not released a suspect description. City Council Speaker Julie Menin condemned the attack and said she hoped the survivor would make a full recovery.

(UPDATED October 25, 2026 22:01 UTC)

A 39-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in Central Park by a man who displayed a knife, and police say no arrests have been made. The attack happened Saturday evening near East 66th Street and Fifth Avenue; another account placed it near East 67th Street. Police said they were called around 9:30 p.m. NBC New York reported that three men attacked the woman as she rode her bicycle, hitting her in the head. She fought back, while one man took her bag before the group fled. The woman suffered minor injuries to her face, neck and back and was taken to a hospital in stable condition. The NYPD is investigating and has not released a suspect description. City Council Speaker Julie Menin condemned the attack, expressed support for the survivor and said she expects police to work swiftly to apprehend the perpetrator.