A 30-year-old man suspected in three sexual assaults in New York City’s Central Park spanning 2021, 2023, and October 2024 was arrested Tuesday in Miami Beach, Florida, authorities confirmed.
Dereck Rivera-Deleon was taken into custody at a Burger King restaurant in Miami during a joint operation involving the NYPD, U.S. Marshals Service, and Miami Beach police. Investigators located Rivera-Deleon in South Florida, where he had recently arrived and secured employment at the restaurant, according to authorities.
Core Facts of the Arrest
Rivera-Deleon, who was working at the time of his arrest, faces charges in connection with:
- A rape reported on October 24, 2024, near East 66th Street and Fifth Avenue in Central Park. Police stated the assault occurred around 8:30 p.m., when a 39-year-old victim was approached by a man who threatened her with a knife, forced her into a wooded area, and raped her before fleeing.
- Two additional assaults in Central Park from 2021 and 2023, linked to Rivera-Deleon through DNA evidence and victim identifications, Miami Beach police reported.
Investigation and Extradition
An extraditable warrant was issued Monday in connection with the October 24 assault, and Rivera-Deleon is expected to face charges for the earlier incidents upon extradition to New York. The NYPD stated in a release that “the department will stop at nothing to get dangerous criminals off our streets.”
Surveillance and Identification
Following the October 24 attack, police released surveillance images of the suspect, described as wearing dark clothing and carrying a dark backpack. Authorities did not disclose further details about the ongoing investigation.
Statements from Officials
Ricky J. Patel, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of New York, stated: “When violent offenders flee to evade justice, we will ensure there is no corner of the country where they can hide.”
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani previously described the October 24 attack as a “horrific” act. The case remains under active investigation, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.