Central Park rape suspect arrested while working in Miami, linked to 2 others

Central Park rape suspect arrested while working in Miami, linked to 2 others Tuesday, November 10, 2026 6:17PM Stream New York's #1 news - AccuWeather - original content 24/7 CENTRAL PARK, Manhattan -- A man wanted in the knifepoint sexual assault of a woman in Central Park last month has been arrested in Florida and will also be charged in two other Central Park rape cases dating back years, according to the NYPD. NYPD detectives assigned to the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force, with support from the U.S. Marshals Service, took Dereck Rivera-Deleon into custody Tuesday while he was working at a Burger King in Miami, police said. Investigators allege he raped a 39-year-old woman in Central Park on Oct. 24 and said he will also be charged in rapes that occurred in Central Park in 2023 and 2021. The arrest comes more than two weeks after the October attack, which prompted a citywide search and increased police patrols in Central Park. According to police, the victim was walking inside Central Park near East 67th Street and East Drive at about 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 24 when a man approached her, displayed a knife and sexually assaulted her . She was taken to a hospital in stable condition, and the suspect fled on foot. Investigators later released surveillance images and video of the suspect as they worked to identify him. The NYPD put out surveillance video and images of the person they are looking for. Police said the victim appeared to be homeless and was intoxicated at the time of the attack. Authorities also said the suspect threatened her with a knife and dragged her into a wooded area before the assault. At the time, detectives described the suspect as a man in his 30s who was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black sweatpants and carrying a black backpack. The attack drew sharp condemnation from city leaders. Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the assault "horrific" and said every New Yorker should be able to walk safely anywhere in the city. Following the assault, the NYPD increased patrols throughout Central Park and urged visitors to remain aware of their surroundings. Police also noted that of the five reported rapes in Central Park in 2026, three have resulted in arrests. ---------- * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More Manhattan news * Send us a news tip * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts on the go * Download our connected TV app Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. Central Park rape suspect arrested while working in Miami, linked to 2 others 44 minutes ago Tour helicopter makes hard landing on pier in Bayonne 13 minutes ago Bob Boone, MLB All-Star and father of Yankees manager, dies at 78 Report a correction or typo Watch Live ON NOW Tour helicopter makes hard landing on pier 13 minutes ago Bob Boone, MLB All-Star and father of Yankees manager, dies at 78 Man accused of posing as war hero, stealing $81K from veterans 2 hours ago Grand jury votes to indict man accused in jogger's killing 44 minutes ago Brooklyn man beaten in wrongful NYPD arrest files lawsuit 1 hour ago Woman critically injured, 2 children hurt in overnight Bronx fire AccuWeather: Breezy beauty and what to know about a late week storm Mike Bloomberg, Diana Taylor marry after 26 years together