Man arrested after choking, biting victims in random Central Park attacks: NYPD

Police arrested a 27-year-old man for allegedly assaulting two men in random attacks in the early hours of Monday morning inside Central Park, authorities said.

David Luciano was taken into custody after police said he attacked an 18-year-old and a 37-year-old in separate incidents minutes apart on the morning of Aug. 25.

The first assault happened around 1:20 a.m. near 8201 East Drive, where Luciano allegedly punched, kicked, and choked the 18-year-old victim, police said.

A short time later, Luciano allegedly attacked the 37-year-old near West 93rd Street, throwing him to the ground and biting his ear, according to police.

Both victims were taken to Lincoln Hospital for treatment.

A witness who tried to intervene during one of the attacks had his bicycle stolen, though officers later recovered it, police said.

Luciano faces two counts each of assault and criminal obstruction of breathing, along with a petit larceny charge, authorities said. He was taken to an area hospital for a psych evaluation following the arrest.

Police said it was not immediately clear where Luciano lives. Reports that he may be homeless have not been confirmed.

As of Aug. 17, assaults in the Central Park Precinct have risen to 13 from 11 during the same period last year, while reports of petit larceny have dropped to 19 from 34.

Citywide, assaults are slightly down, with 18,603 reported so far this year compared with 18,814 in 2024, per the latest NYPD statistics.