The perverted parolee accused of trying to rape a stranger in Central Park allegedly admitted to the crime — as prosecutors on Wednesday revealed sickening new details about the broad-daylight attack.
Homeless creep Lateef Caldwell, 30, allegedly shoved the 45-year-old Muslim woman onto a park bench, ripped her body-length hijab and yanked down her pants while she struggled to fight him off on Monday near 109th Street and East Drive at 5:40 p.m., according to a criminal complaint
The terrified victim bravely kicked him before quick-thinking good Samaritans intervened, officials said.
The heinous attack was capturted on surveillance footage, according to the criminal complaint.
Caldwell, who lives in a Wards Island shelter, tried to run away but cops caught him nearby.
When a detective asked if he was trying to have sex with the victim, he said, “Yes,” according to court papers.
The assault comes years after Caldwell preyed on an unsuspecting woman in a strikingly similar way on April 20, 2022, according to court papers.
In that attack, he tackled the 23-year-old victim to the ground and tried to yank down her pants while he straddled her on East 13th Street in the East Village.
Once caught, he bizarrely told police it was a “misunderstanding,” according to a criminal complaint.
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“I recognize her. I had a disturbance with her that was a misunderstanding,” he explained, court papers state. “I bumped into her and fell with her to the ground. I had an erection when it happened.”
In that case, Caldwell was initially charged with first degree attempted rape and attempted sexual assault, but he ultimately pleaded guilty to the lesser charge.
He served a three year prison sentence and five years of post release supervision.
The sicko was released from an upstate prison last year, according to state Corrections records.
Caldwell was charged with attempted rape and attempted sexual abuse for Monday’s assault.
A judge held him in jail Wednesday at his arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court.
His next court appearance is set for Friday.
