A homeless man allegedly attacked two people in Central Park early Monday, choking both and biting one victim’s ear, police told the New York Post.
Officers said the suspect, identified as 27-year-old David Luciano, first approached the 18-year-old man around 1:20 a.m. on West Drive near 62nd Street. Luciano allegedly grabbed the teen by the neck, punched and kicked him, then fled, according to the outlet. (RELATED: Five Niagra Falls Tourists Killed In Bus Accident)
About 30 minutes later, Luciano allegedly attacked the 37-year-old man on West Drive near 93rd Street, throwing him to the ground, choking him and biting his ear, police reportedly said. The victims did not know each other or Luciano, the outlet reported. Both were treated at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital and are in stable condition.
Luciano is facing two counts of assault, one count of criminal obstruction of breathing and one count of petit larceny after allegedly stealing a victim’s bicycle before fleeing, ABC 7 News reported. Police later recovered the bike.
He was taken to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation. The New York Post reported details of his prior arrest history were not immediately available.
Sunday’s attack is the latest in a string of violent incidents in Central Park. In October, a 38-year-old woman was nearly raped on 85 East Drive, CBS News reported.
The Daily Caller reached out to the New York Police Department for comment but did not hear back by publication.