The 19-year-old Barnard student who was viciously attacked in a Riverside Park robbery has been released from the hospital, officials say. And new surveillance video captures the man police believe is responsible for attacking her -- and at least one another woman.
Police say the man seen in this surveillance video is violent and deranged. He's accused of attacking student Marissa Cortright, who was found unconscious on a bench, and another woman in the quiet and pastoral Riverside Park on Monday.
He stole Cortright's iPod. But nothing was taken from 48-year-old Jan Blumenthal, who was attacked while walking her dog just 20 minutes after Cortright was beaten. The younger woman was hospitalized with a broken cheekbone and bleeding to the brain after the attack on 120th Street.
NBCNewYork tried to speak with Blumenthal, who also was released from the hospital, but only exchanged a few words through the door in her apartment building. She was very upset and asked a reporter to leave. Before doing so, NBCNewYork mentioned the visit was part of an attempt to help catch the suspect who attacked her, to which she said she "appreciates the sentiment."
Meanwhile, patrols have been stepped up in the park, police say. Posters with the man's sketch are on display and e-mails went out to Barnard students warning them to be on alert.
Police said Friday they hope other witnesses come forward.
Detectives at the 26th precinct are asking anyone who may have been in the area or has any information regarding this incident to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
You can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
