By SÍLE MOLONEY

THE NYPD IS asking for the public’s help locating the person seen in this photo who they say is wanted for questioning in connection with a rape that occurred in Van Cortlandt Park on Tuesday night, June 23, 2026 (Election Night). 
Photo courtesy of the NYPD

The NYPD is asking for the public’s help locating the person seen in the attached photo who they say is wanted in connection with a rape that occurred in Van Cortlandt Park close to the North Riverdale section of The Bronx.

 

Police said that on Tuesday, June 23, Election Night, at around 10 p.m. a 13-year-old female victim was on board a northbound BX9 MTA bus when she was approached by an unidentified person.

 

“When the victim and unidentified individual exited the bus in the vicinity of Broadway and West 261 Street, the individual grabbed the victim and dragged her into a wooded area inside Van Cortlandt Park,” an NYPD spokesperson said. “The individual then sexually assaulted the victim and fled on foot to parts unknown.” They said the victim was transported by EMS to a local area hospital in stable condition.

MAJOR SEX CRIME statistics for Patrol Borough Bronx North for the 28-day period ending June 21, 2026, compared to the same timeframe last year (left), and year-to-date major sex crime statistics for Patrol Borough Bronx North as of June 21, 2026, compared to last year (right). Patrol Borough Bronx North covers NYPD Precincts 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, and 52, but not 45 which falls into the Patrol Borough Bronx South command, where crime has largely fallen in recent months.  
Source: NYPD / CompStat

As reported, an 18-year-old male was recently arrested following the rape of a 17-year-old girl in the Throggs Neck section of The Bronx on June 14. In May, a man was sought for following a woman into an elevator in the Melrose section and attempting to rape her.

 

 

Year-to-date rapes in the recently implemented Patrol Borough Bronx North command, overseen by NYPD Assistant Chief Aneudy Castillo, are up 27.8%, while year-to-date other sex crimes are up 7.5%. The Patrol Borough North Bronx command covers NYPD Precincts 46, 47, 48, 49, 52, and 50, where the latest rape occurred. In the Patrol Borough Bronx South command, crime has largely fallen in recent months. The South Bronx command covers NYPD Precincts 40, 41, 42, 43, 44.

 

As reported, when citywide crime statistics for May were recently released, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch noted that overall citywide major crime was down, and the new Patrol Borough Bronx South command similarly saw a decrease in year-to-date index crimes in May. Conversely, much of the Northwest Bronx precincts (52nd, 50th and 46th) saw a rise in year-to-date crime in several major categories. Norwood News asked the commissioner if she had any comments in that regard.

 

“The crime declines that we have seen generally, in the borough of the Bronx, particularly in the South Bronx, have really been historic across the borough so far this year,” she said in part. “Of course, there are always going to be problem areas, problem precincts, and that’s why we use the CompStat process (NYPD crime data collection tool), and we do deployments of officers to places where we’re seeing crime go up.”

 

In April, as reported a man was sought for the rape of a 50-year-old woman in Highbridge. In May, a man was sought for following a woman into an elevator in the Melrose section and attempting to rape her. Earlier the same year, a 25-year-old man was charged following the rape of a 16-year-old girl in Fordham Manor.

MAJOR SEX CRIME statistics for Patrol Borough Bronx South for the 28-day period ending June 21, 2026, compared to the same timeframe last year (left), and year-to-date major sex crime statistics for Patrol Borough Bronx South as of June 21, 2026, compared to last year (right). Patrol Borough Bronx South covers NYPD Precincts Precincts 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45, where the referenced rape occurred. 
Source: NYPD / CompStat

To report a sex crime to the NYPD, you should call 911 if you are in immediate danger. For non-emergencies, use the dedicated hotline for the Special Victims Division.

 

“The Special Victims Unit’s 24-hour hotline is staffed around the clock allowing individuals the ability to report sex crimes and be connected directly and immediately with the appropriate Special Victims Squad who will handle their report,” an extract from the NYPD’s website reads. “To make a report of a sex crime, call our 24-hour hotline at 646-610-7272 or 212-267-7273.”

 

The extract continues, “The NYPD in conjunction with The New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault provides access to the resources and services survivors of sexual violence need in the Sexual Assault Survivor Resource Guide which can be found in every precinct, police service area, and transit district throughout New York City and can also be accessed here.”

 

The District Attorney’s office also urges anyone who is, or who believes someone they know is, the victim of a sex crime to call the Bronx District Attorney’s Office.

 

Contact numbers at the Bronx District Attorneys Office, including one for victims of sex crimes, are included below:

Department
Phone #

General Information
718-590-2000

Bias Hotline
718-590-BIAS (2427)

Child Abuse/Sex Crimes Hotline
718-838-7344

Civilian Complaint Unit
718-590-2300

Community Engagement Unit
718-590-2272

Crime Victims Assistance Bureau
718-590-2115

Domestic Violence
718-838-6688

Elder Abuse
718 590-2260

Immigrant Affairs Unit
844-590-SCAM (7226)

Communications/Public Information
718-590-2234

U-VISA Hotline
718-590-VISA (8472)”

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Sex Crimes Hotline at 1-212-267-7273 or 646-610-7272, the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on X @NYPDTips.

 

All calls are strictly confidential.