NEW YORK – Three women walking alone inside a Manhattan park in broad daylight were attacked within minutes of each other, and the suspect in the three incidents threatened to sexually assault them, police said.
The first attack occurred around 11 a.m. Monday in Inwood Hill Park in Upper Manhattan, police said. A 34-year-old woman was beaten by a man who said he wanted to rape her.
Shortly after, around 11:45 a.m., a man approached a 40-year-old woman with her dog and told her he wanted to commit a sexual act, then threatened to kill the dog, according to police. That woman saw a runner and yelled for help, scaring the would-be attacker.
Minutes later, a 44-year-old woman was also walking her dog when she was hit in the head with a tree branch, police said. The attacker allegedly tried to remove her clothes. Later, the victim was hospitalized with a cut on his forehead.
“I’m definitely not one to put me in a situation like that to make it happen, but at 11am I have to walk my dog before I go to work, who’s thinking that’s going to happen? And especially with COVID, there are many more people walking in the park, “said one of the park attendees.
Police are investigating to see if the three cases are connected. No arrests have been made.
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