Riverside Park, where 21-year-old Jhonatan Cortes-Lopez allegedly attempted to rape a woman on July 18. He is charged in connection with that incident, as well as two other sex crimes.
Photo courtesy of the NYC Parks Department
An alleged sexual predator was indicted on Tuesday for attempting to rape a woman in Riverside Park, and sexually assaulting two others, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.
Manhattan resident Jhonatan Cortes-Lopez faces charges of attempted rape, sexual abuse, assault, forceable touching, and sexual abuse in connection with three alleged incidents that occurred in June and July of this year.
According to prosecutors, the first incident came on June 25, when Cortes-Lopez approached a 21-year-old woman on his bike near W. 111th Street and Amsterdam Avenue at around 5:35 p.m., before commenting on her physical appearance. A short while later, he dismounted his two-wheeler and allegedly began groping her, and chasing after her as she attempted to run off. The victim later found a security guard, causing Cortes-Lopez to flee the scene.
Weeks later, on July 18, the 21-year-old suspect struck again inside Riverside Park near W. 79th Street, when he allegedly groped a 19-year-old woman at around 4:40 p.m., before fleeing on his bike shortly after.
The most serious offense came hours after that incident, when Cortes-Lopez allegedly used his bike to cut off a jogger inside the park at around 9:45 p.m. When the woman attempted to navigate around the suspect, he allegedly grabbed her wrists and attacked her — tackling her to the ground and attempting to rape her. The victim began screaming and was fending off the alleged predator, before he eventually gave up and fled on his bike.
“As alleged, this individual targeted women walking alone in a pattern of disturbing attacks,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “I encourage anyone who believes they have been the victim of or witness to a sex crime to call us at 212-335-9373. We have the resources to help you in a trauma-informed manner that centers your needs and your experience.”
Cortes-Lopez was arrested on July 21 by the NYPD’s Manhattan Special Victims Squad and indicted by a grand jury on Aug. 15.
