Police arrested a homeless man for allegedly trying to rape a woman inside of Forest Park Saturday evening.
Authorities say that a 51-year-old woman was walking on the Orange Trail inside the park around 6:30 p.m. on July 25 when Cuauhtemoc Cardenas approached her from behind, tapped her on the shoulder, and struck her on the head.
Cardenas, who is homeless, then pushed the woman into some bushes off the trail, pulled the victim’s pants down, and began to choke her with an unknown piece of clothing while attempting to sexually assault her, police said.
The victim fought back and called for help, and Cardenas fled west toward a parkway underpass, according to authorities.
The woman was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was treated and released, police said.
Cardenas has been charged with attempted rape, strangulation and assault, according to the NYPD.
This story was updated at 4:17 p.m., on Monday, July 26, 2020.
