Suspect (NYPD)
July 27, 2020 By Allie Griffin
Police arrested a 32-year-old homeless man today for attempting to rape a woman in Forest Park over the weekend.
Officers cuffed Cuauhtemoc Cardenas today at 2:30 p.m. on charges of attempted rape, strangulation and assault for the July 25 incident.
Cardenas allegedly attacked a 51-year-old woman who was walking on the Orange Trail inside the park around 6:30 p.m. Saturday and tried to rape her, police said.
He initially tapped the woman on her shoulder before striking her in the back of the head, police said. He pushed her off the trail into the shrubs and pulled down her pants, causing her to fall to the ground, according to police.
Cardenas then allegedly choked the victim by wrapping a piece of clothing around her neck while he tried to sexually assault her, police said.
The 51-year-old, however, was able to fight off her attacker and yelled out for help, causing Cardenas to flee the park, according to police.
Cardenas is reportedly homeless, a police spokesperson said.
Council Member Robert Holden praised the local 102nd Precinct and NYPD Special Victims Unit for the quick arrest.
“Outstanding work by our @NYPD102Pct officers and @NYPDSVU in apprehending the creep responsible for this frightening attack over the weekend,” he wrote on Twitter. “Thank you!!”
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