Arrest made after man choked, another bitten in separate attacks in Central Park
CENTRAL PARK (WABC) -- A man is under arrest after two men were assaulted in random, separate attacks on the west side of Central Park early Monday.
The first attack happened on West Drive at West 62nd Street around 1:30 a.m.
Police say an 18-year-old was punched, kicked and choked by a suspect.
Officials believe the same suspect then threw a 37-year-old man to the ground and bit his ear at West 93rd Street.
Both men were taken to Mount Sinai Morningside and were said to be stable.
Police searched the park and took a person of interest in for questioning. David Luciano, 27, is charged with two counts each of assault and criminal obstruction of breathing and one count of petit larceny.
In one of the incidents, police say he stole the victim's bicycle and fled. The bike was later recovered.
Luciano is believed to be homeless and has been taken to the hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.
Police say the attacks appear to be random.
"It's not the first and I'm pretty sure it's not going to be the last, we definitely need more police surveillance, more community togetherness as well," said Manhattan resident Cesar Hernandez. "The city has to figure it out, especially the mayor has to figure it out, what needs to be done to avoid these types of incidents."
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