Police Searching For Man Who Raped And Robbed Woman In Prospect Park

PROSPECT PARK SOUTH – The NYPD is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the man seen in the below photos and video in connection to a rape and robbery that occurred early Sunday morning in Prospect Park in the vicinity of Parkside Avenue and Parade Place.

At approximately 4am on Sunday, November 18, police say that the suspect approached a 59-year-old woman from behind, put her in a chokehold, and told her he had a knife and gun. He then pushed her against a parked van and attempted to sexually assault her.

He then dragged the woman behind a bench and raped her. Following the assault, the suspect broke into a parked van where he attempted to assault the woman again, but failing to do so, stole $10 from her purse and told her to leave, according to police. The suspect reportedly fled on foot eastbound on Parkside Avenue.

The victim was treated at an area hospital and is listed in stable condition.

The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 25- to 35-years-old, 5’10” to 6’0″ with a medium build. He was last seen wearing a shiny dark colored hooded bubble jacket, a dark knit cap, dark pants, and white sneakers.

The police are also searching for the vehicle—a white Ford Econoline van with a green and white logo. An NYPD representative says the owner of the van is not a suspect in the incident but that the vehicle may help in the investigation.

Anyone with information in regard to the above incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM, on Twitter @NYPDTips or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.