Man released after sexually assaulting 21-year-old woman while sunbathing in Central Park

According to police, a man is on the loose after sexually assaulting a 21-year-old woman while she was sunbathing in New York’s Central Park.

The young woman was alone, sunning herself in the Great Hill section of the park, when a man approached her and exposed himself around 1:30 p.m. Monday, New York Police Department Patrol Chief John Chell said at a news conference.

“She screams and gets up to run away,” but “he grabs her from behind” and “tries to fall on her,” Chell said.

The victim fought off the man and he fled, Chell said.

Officers searched the park Monday afternoon for witnesses, Chell said. Police said they were reviewing surveillance videos.

The attack occurred for New Yorkers and visitors “in one of the most symbolic places in the world,” said Tarik Sheppard, deputy police commissioner of the NYPD.

Police “will continue to be here until we feel the perpetrator is off the streets,” Sheppard said.

Chell noted that there was no pattern of sexual assault in Central Park.

The attacker is described as a black man in his 30s with curly hair, police said. He is of medium build and about 6 feet tall, police said.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to call 1-800-577-TIPS.