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A homeless man on parole allegedly attempted to rape a woman in Central Park but was stopped by good Samaritans, police and sources said Tuesday, March 24.
Lateef Caldwell, 30, is accused of attacking a 45-year-old woman at about 5:40 p.m. on Monday, March 23, near 109th Street and East Drive, years after he was convicted in a similar sexual assault case, according to police and court records.
The attack was interrupted when bystanders stepped in, law enforcement sources said.
The victim, who sources said was Muslim and wearing a hijab at the time, did not report any injuries. The suspect allegedly tried to flee but was apprehended by police at 106th Street and East Drive.
Caldwell, who resides in a Wards Island shelter, has been charged with attempted rape, attempted sexual assault and sexual abuse, police said.
He had been released on parole less than a year ago in connection with a similar sexual abuse case from April 20, 2022, also in Manhattan, sources added. In that incident, he allegedly tackled a 23-year-old woman to the ground and attempted to pull down her pants while straddling her on East 13th Street in the East Village, according to a criminal complaint.
Following his arrest in that case, he reportedly told investigators: “I recognize her. I had a disturbance with her that was a misunderstanding. I bumped into her and fell with her to the ground. I had an erection when it happened.”
He was initially charged with attempted rape and attempted sexual abuse in the first degree but later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. He was sentenced to three years in prison and five years of post-release supervision, prosecutors said.
Records show he was incarcerated in an upstate prison from March 21, 2023, until April 15, 2025.
His parole is scheduled to expire in 2029.
Caldwell’s arraignment in the new case was pending as of Tuesday night.
