A suspect wanted for allegedly raping a woman at knifepoint in New York City's Central Park has been pictured for the first time.

Cops have released chilling new images of the man accused of dragging a 39-year-old woman into a secluded wooded area before sexually assaulting her.

The terrifying attack unfolded at around 8.30pm on Saturday near East 67th Street and Fifth Avenue in the iconic Manhattan park.

Police say the suspect brandished a knife before forcing the woman into an isolated area, where he allegedly raped her.

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment and was listed in stable condition.

The attacker fled the scene and remains on the run, with no arrests made as of Monday night.

The NYPD has since released surveillance images showing the suspect dressed entirely in black.

He was pictured wearing a black hooded jacket, matching pants, and a black backpack.

Separate footage captured the man walking along a sidewalk while clutching earbuds in his hands.

Investigators believe the attack was random, with preliminary findings suggesting the victim did not know her alleged assailant, law enforcement sources told the New York Post.

The shocking incident has sparked fresh fears over safety in Central Park, where police have reported a troubling rise in crime.

It was the fifth rape reported within the Central Park Precinct this year, compared to three during the same period in 2025, according to NYPD figures.

Overall crime in the park has also surged by approximately 20 percent year-on-year, CBS News reported.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the alleged rape as "horrific" and insisted residents should be able to feel safe anywhere in the city.

"What happened to this survivor is horrific. This is something that no one should have to endure," he said.

"We know that every New Yorker should be able to walk anywhere in our city at any time of day and they should be safe, and anything less than that is not something that I will ever justify or accept."

The NYPD has already increased patrols in response to a rise in robberies and plans to maintain a heightened police presence.

Officers will focus on footpaths and wooded areas as the hunt for the alleged rapist continues.

Former NYPD detective David Sarni, who spent nearly three decades on the force, warned visitors to remain vigilant.

"If you're not familiar with the area, it is hazardous, it is dangerous," he told CBS News.

"That's why those GPS devices will be beneficial ... and it goes back to the same issues as far as self-protection - pepper spray, a whistle, something that can deter them."

Police are urging anyone who recognizes the suspect or has information about the attack to come forward.

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