A man named Jermaine Longmire has been charged with attempting to rape a woman who was sunbathing in Central Park, as per authorities. Longmire, who has a history of arrests in New York and other states, was identified as the suspect after his DNA matched evidence found at the crime scene, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny. He is facing charges of first-degree attempted rape and first-degree sexual abuse, both of which are felonies, and appeared in court on Wednesday.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated that such behavior will not be tolerated in the city’s parks, emphasizing that they should be safe spaces for New Yorkers to relax. Longmire was already in custody for a separate crime involving alleged forcible touching in a subway station in 2023. The recent incident took place in Central Park when a 21-year-old woman was sunbathing alone. A Black man in his 30s approached her, exposed himself, and then tackled her from behind when she tried to run away. Fortunately, the woman was able to fight off her attacker.
Surveillance video helped identify the suspect, and his image matched Longmire in a facial recognition system. Additionally, DNA collected from the woman’s bikini also matched Longmire. Longmire was also wanted for a previous incident in March where he allegedly grabbed a woman’s buttocks from behind.
This incident highlights the importance of safety in public spaces and the need for vigilance, especially in popular areas like Central Park. It serves as a reminder for people to be aware of their surroundings and take precautions to ensure their well-being when enjoying outdoor activities. Authorities are urging anyone with information about Longmire or any similar incidents to come forward and assist in the investigation to prevent such crimes from happening in the future.