NYPD: Man Arrested After Bites, Chokes Two in Central Park
David Luciano, 27, was taken into custody in connection with the early-morning incidents on Aug. 25. Both unidentified victims survived.
| 25 Aug 2025 | 07:10
West Drive (near West 62nd Street) in Central Park, where a man reportedly randomly assaulted a teenager on Aug. 25, one of two random attacks that day. An arrest has been made. (
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A man who appeared to be suffering from mental illness assaulted two random pedestrians in Central Park in the wee hours of Monday, Aug. 25, police say. A suspect, 27-year-old David Luciano, was taken into custody later in the day. Police so far believe that he is homeless, and say that he is currently undergoing a psychiatric evaluation.
The first, unidentified 18-year-old victim was reportedly attacked just before 1:30am near West Drive and West 62nd Street. Cops say that Luciano allegedly punched, kicked, and choked the teenager.
At around the same time, cops say that they responded to a second call, near West 93rd Street and West Drive, where they found a 37-year-old man with a bite mark on his ear. Police say they are connecting the separate assault to Luciano, as well. Both victims were reportedly rushed to Mount Sinai Morningside in stable condition by EMS.
Luciano has been charged with two counts of criminal obstruction of breathing, two counts of assault, and one count of petit larceny in connection with the attacks.