Police believe suspect who raped jogger in NYC park is responsible for other violent crimes
WEST VILLAGE, Manhattan (WABC) -- A man accused of raping a woman and suspected in two other crimes against women in Manhattan was remanded to custody during a court appearance on Friday.
Police say 28-year-old Carl Phanor is accused of raping a jogger at around 5:30 a.m. Thursday in Hudson River Park.
The 43-year-old victim was found stumbling from the scene by a bystander who rushed to help her.
"She was bleeding on her arms and she wasn't wearing any shoes," good Samaritan Gabrielle Sumkin said. "Her clothes were kind of torn up, but I could tell that they were workout clothes. She had a wedding ring on and a necklace, so it was, it was very unusual."
Phanor allegedly stole the victim's wallet and headphones after he raped her, according to police.
Police say Phanor could also be the same suspect who sexually assaulted a different woman in the same park back in March and who attempted to rape a different woman walking along the FDR service road in October.
In both incidents, a man on a bike pushed the women to the ground from behind, choked them and, attempted to remove their clothing.
Prosecutors called it a "clear predatory pattern." Video surveillance caught him before and after each attack.
They say a rape swab from his first victim in March matches his DNA.
Officers arrested Phanor Thursday at the Port Authority bus terminal as he was trying to board a Greyhound bus. Police were able to track him down because he used the victim's credit card at a Target in Midtown.
His photo and name were made public by the police department back in March after the first incident.
Phanor has been arrested at least 18 times as an adult, according to police. He also has a criminal record in New Jersey and Ohio.
Prosecutors say Phanor is homeless and has several aliases.
The defense attorney said Phanor was abandoned by his parents and "traumatizing things" happened to him in his younger life.
The victim of Thursday's attack remained in the ICU on Friday with lung fractures.
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