Prospect Park Jogger Threatened With Rape at Knifepoint (Updated)

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams spoke Wednesday near the crime scene. Photos by John V. Santore

PROSPECT PARK, BROOKLYN — Police released photos and sketches Thursday (included below) of a man who allegedly attacked and threatened to rape a female jogger in Prospect Park early Wednesday morning.

The attack occurred near the intersection of Garfield Place and Prospect Park West shortly after 5 a.m., according to police.

The precise location of the attack appears to have been on a pedestrian path running adjacent to West Drive. The area was still cordoned off with police tape on Wednesday afternoon, while nearby police officers continued their investigation.

The 23-year-old victim was jogging when the suspect allegedly approached her from behind and threw her to the ground.

The suspect pulled out a knife and said he was going to sexually assault her, according to police.

She was able to fight him off, however, and the suspect fled, police said.

The woman sustained a cut on her right index finger and was taken to Methodist Hospital in stable condition.

Detectives described the suspect as a black male standing between 5-feet-10-inches and 6 feet tall and weighing between 180 and 190 pounds.

The man was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, black pants with white lettering on one leg, and black sneakers with white bottoms, police said.

Anyone with information regarding the suspect can confidentially report it on the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers website or anonymously call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). Los hispanohablantes pueden llamar 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Tips can also be text-messaged to the NYPD by texting 274637 (CRIMES), then entering TIP577.

UPDATE: Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams held a press conference near the crime scene Wednesday.

He referred to the attack as "one of the most traumatic crimes that any person could endure," and called for a "swift and aggressive response" that would result in the suspect's capture.

Adams urged community members to share any useful information with detectives, and said he hoped the NYPD would be able to locate security footage of the suspect.

However, the nearest security cameras to the Garfield Place and Prospect Park West intersection — attached to the facade of 40 Prospect Park West — do not face the park.

Adams said the victim had done nothing wrong, and said residents shouldn't "surrender to barbaric behavior."

But he suggested that those jogging in the park shouldn't wear earphones in both ears so they can remain aware of their surroundings.

He also suggested that joggers carry a whistle, stay within sight of major streets and, if possible, exercise in groups.

This alleged crime took place in the NYPD's 78th Precinct. According to official police statistics, through April 10, major crimes in the 78th were collectively down about 24 percent compared to the same time period last year.

One rape had been reported in the 78th through April 10, compared to 4 reported rapes during the same period last year.

At the beginning of March, Deputy Inspector Frank DiGiacomo, who leads the 78th, said that as of that date, no crimes had been reported within Prospect Park itself.

However, Park Slope, a typically safe neighborhood, saw a series of muggings targeting seniors earlier this year.

Police have linked those incidents to the same suspect, and say he most recently attacked and robbed a Kensington senior on March 26.

On March 31, DiGiacomo said the mugging suspect may have left behind DNA evidence at one of his crime scenes.