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Suspect who bashed woman’s head against tree in Central Park nabbed two weeks after violent attack

Sketch of suspect in Central Park assault
A sketch of the suspect sought for violently attacking a woman in Central Park on April 6, 2023.
Photo courtesy of NYPD

Detectives apprehended a Bronx man allegedly behind a violent Central Park attack earlier this month in which he bashed a woman’s head against a tree.

Juan Garcia, 21, of Hoe Avenue was picked up on Friday evening as a result of an ongoing investigation into the case. 

The NYPD previously released a sketch of the suspect sought for the horrific attack near the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir at about 5:55 a.m. on April 6.

According to law enforcement sources, Garcia allegedly approached the victim, a 55-year-old woman, as she walked near the reservoir and engaged her in conversation.

Seconds later, authorities said, the suspect went on the attack — assaulting the woman, and then banging her head against a nearby tree multiple times.

Following the violence, cops noted, Garcia allegedly fled from the reservoir and was last seen pedaling away on a CitiBike heading eastbound along the 86th Street Transverse.

The incident was reported to the Central Park Precinct. EMS rushed the victim to a local hospital, where she was listed in stable condition.

Following his April 21 arrest, Garcia was booked on charges of assault.

This story was updated on April 22 at 9:45 a.m.

Auxiliary officers at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in Central Park
Auxiliary officers on patrol at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir in Central Park on April 7, 2023.Photo via Twitter/@NYPDCentralPark