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Jogger fights off attempted rapist in Prospect Park

Jogger fights off attempted rapist in Prospect Park
Photo by Paul Martinka

A sicko tried to rape a woman at knifepoint while she was jogging through Prospect Park on Wednesday morning, according to a police report.

The perv jumped the 23-year-old woman from behind while she was running near Garfield Place and Prospect Park West at around 5:15 am, throwing her to the ground, brandishing a knife, and telling her he planned to sexually assault her, police said.

But the woman fought back, and the sicko eventually ran off — though not before he slashed the victim’s finger, authorities said.

Paramedics took the woman to Methodist Hospital, where she is in stable condition, police said.

The assault took place just hours before the driver of a giant tractor trailer fatally ran over a cyclist nearby on Sixth Avenue, prompting Borough President Adams to visit the park on Wednesday afternoon to denounce both crimes.

Adams, a former police officer, told Slopers and park-goers to stay alert while the slimeball is on the loose, and advised joggers to run outside the park where they can be seen or in groups — though he claimed that was just a basic safety tip, not an accusation that the victim did anything wrong.

“I always encourage my young people to take basic safety tips because you do have people out there that will attempt to harm you,” he said. Police are now hunting for the attempted rapist, who they describe as a black man standing around 5-foot-10 to 6-foot, weighing around 180–190 pounds, and sporting short hair and a goatee.

He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, black pants with white lettering on one pant leg, and black sneakers with white bottoms, cops said.

Police ask anyone with information about the crimes to call (800) 577–8477, submit tips at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com, or text 274637 followed by TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.

— with Anna Ruth Ramos

Suspect: A sketch of the guy who tried to rape a jogger in Prospect Park on Wednesday morning.
NYPD