Manhunt for New York's Central Park rape suspect continues, police appeal for public's help
A suspect of a second assault was arrested some 45 minutes later
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New York City police are searching for a suspect involved in a rape that occurred near Central Park on Thursday morning after arresting suspects in two other rape cases.
Police responded to a reported assault at around 7:20 a.m. The victim, a 27-year-old woman, was sexually assaulted while she walked near the Swan Lake and Wollman Rink, NYPD Inspector Michael King told reporters Thursday.
A suspect grabbed the victim from behind and choked her, briefly knocking her unconscious. She awoke with cuts and bruises to her arms and chin.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}She received assistance from a "bystander" in the park, who helped her call the police, and she went to Mount Sinai West hospital for treatment, ABC 7 reported.
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Around 45 minutes later, another woman reported that a man attempted to assault her on a footbridge near 103rd Street and the FDR Drive. The suspect tried to choke the 54-year-old victim and attempted to remove her pants.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In that case police apprehended Howard Shaw at the location, the New York Post reported.
Howard Shaw — who was released from state prison on Nov. 9 — allegedly attacked a 54-year-old jogger on Randall’s Island around 7:45 a.m., police sources said. (DCPI)
The 38-year-old suspect in custody had committed a rape in 2005 and served time in jail, but was released on parole on Tuesday. He had four prior arrests, including another attempted rape, King told reporters.
Police have appealed to the public for any information on either incident. King could not say whether the crimes are related.
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No current similarities link the cases, but both were crimes of a sexual nature, and the suspect in the rape case appears to be a different individual.
Photos released on Twitter show a male dressed in black with a black baseball cap as part of the public appeal. Thursday's assault is the sixth sexual assault reported at Central Park this year, compared to two by the same time last year.
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Police also arrested Rahmel Bali, 18, on Thursday night in connection to the rape of a 13-year-old victim that occurred on Nov. 8 as the victim was heading home after school in the Bronx. Bali allegedly pushed the child to the ground, tore off her leggings and assaulted her.
Bali faces charges of Criminal Sexual Act, Attempted Sex Abuse, Criminal Obstruction of Breathing, assault and harassment, the police told Fox News.
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Anyone with information is asked to contact @NYPDTips via DM or call #800577TIPS.