'Person Of Interest' Questioned In Central Park Sex Attack: Report

CENTRAL PARK, NY — As the NYPD continues its search for a man who allegedly sexually assaulted a woman in Central Park last month, reports have surfaced that a person of interest is currently in police custody and is being questioned by NYPD detectives.

The person has not been charged yet in the case but was already being questioned about an unrelated matter, according to news sources.

The man is suspected of exposing himself to a 21-year-old woman who was sunbathing in the park near West Drive and West 104th Street around 1:30 p.m. last Monday, according to NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell.

Police reported that the woman screamed as the man approached and tried to escape, but before she could run, he tackled her from behind and attempted to assault her.

Chell said the victim managed to violently fight off her attacker for a second time, eventually causing him to flee.

No surveillance cameras caught the attack, police said.

The police have since shared a sketch of the suspect wanted in the case, hoping to draw attention to the man.

The attacker, described as a Black man in his 30s and about 6 feet tall, fled southbound down West Drive, and the NYPD said they have been actively searching for the suspect since last week.

Alongside the newly released sketch, police described the attacker as having a medium build and curly hair. He was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt and shorts.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).