Riverside Park Sexual Assaulter Indicted, Prosecutors Say

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — A man was indicted Thursday in the sexual assault and robbery of a woman in Riverside Park, prosecutors said.

Tatchiem Noubissi Luc, 32, faces charges of attempted rape, sexual abuse and robbery from the indictment, authorities said.

The charges stem from a harrowing July 20 encounter that cuts at the heart of New Yorkers need for safety in the city's waterfront parks, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said.

"This individual allegedly attacked and sexually assaulted a woman in Riverside Park, and then attempted to prevent her from calling 911 by stealing her cellphone," Bragg said in a statement.

"Despite that, this brave survivor was able to call with help from a passerby, and I thank the NYPD for its quick response."

Luc is accused of approaching a 32-year-old woman in Riverside Park near West 60th Street early July 20, blocking her path and insisting she talk to him, authorities said.

The woman refused, at which point Luc attacked her, groped her and tried to remove her dress, breaking its strap, prosecutors said. She tried to call 911 as he pulled her hair, but Luc took her phone, authorities said.

The run-in ended after the woman screamed and Luc ran off, authorities said.

Police arrested Luc later that day, along with another man — Jonathan Cortez, 21 — accused in two separate sexual attacks in Riverside Park.