Police released surveillance video of the suspect walking with the victim before they entered the park. Credit: DCPI
Police are searching for a man who raped a woman inside Central Park early Sunday morning.
The woman was walking along 88th Street near Fifth Avenue about 3:30 a.m. when she was first approached by the suspect, police said. They began talking and walked together toward Central Park. They entered the park at 100th Street and eventually sat down on a bench together, according to police. The suspect then turned violent on the victim, dragged her to a grassy area and raped her.
After the incident, the victim managed to flee the scene and run to Mt. Sinai Hospital.
Police released surveillance video of the suspect walking with the woman before the incident and video of him right after the alleged attack.
The suspect is described as a black male in his early 30s, between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-9. He was last seen wearing a red hat, black leather jacket and blue jeans. He told the woman that his name is Omar, police added.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
