Two men arrested in separate sexual assault cases in Riverside Park: NYPD

MANHATTAN (PIX11) – Two men were arrested in separate sexual assault incidents in Riverside Park, police announced Friday.

The sexual assaults all took place in the Upper West Side park this week, Chief of Detectives James Essig said. They were originally believed to have been committed by the same perpetrator.

Police said during the first incident on Tuesday afternoon, a woman was approached by a man who grabbed her and fondled her, and made explicit statements. He fled on a bicycle, according to officials.

Around 10 p.m. that same evening, police said a 38-year-old victim was jogging when a man rode up to her on a bicycle, got off the bike, and pushed her to the ground. The man sexually assaulted the woman and attempted to rape her, police said.

The victim sustained minor bruises and scratches on her body and was taken to a hospital after the sexual assault, authorities said.

The suspect fled on a dark-colored bicycle, police said. He was last seen wearing a red sports jersey with “40” on the back.

Officials found surveillance video related to the second attack and were able to track down a 21-year-old man who had a similar bicycle as well as the red "40" jersey.

Police said he admitted to being the perpetrator in both of Tuesday's assaults as well as a third forcible touching incident from June 25. He was identified by the three victims during a lineup, according to the NYPD. He has no prior arrests, authorities said.

In the third incident, authorities said a woman was walking in the park around 4:45 a.m. on Thursday when a man grabbed her, knocked her to the ground, and fondled her.

The woman sustained bruises and scrapes on her hands and was taken to a hospital after the incident, authorities said. The assailant stole the victim’s cellphone and then ran north into the park, police said.

Police said officers spotted a 39-year-old man fitting the description of the suspect from Thursday's incident and took him into custody. The suspect made incriminating statements that led to officers executing a search warrant on his residence, police said.

Officers discovered the stolen cellphone, authorities said, and the victim picked him out during a lineup. The man was charged with attempted rape, sexual abuse, robbery and assault. He also has no prior arrests, police said.