A 32-year-old Bronx woman is speaking out after she was allegedly attacked by three men in Central Park while riding her bicycle home from work Sunday night. The New York Police Department (NYPD) is searching for the suspects after the frightening encounter left her bruised, shaken, and in pain.
Katherine Marroquin told CBS News New York that the incident happened within seconds near West 93rd Street and West Drive, shortly before 10 p.m. What began as a routine ride home quickly turned into a struggle to protect herself.
Woman Says Attack Began When She Stopped to Pick Up AirPods
Marroquin said she was riding through Central Park when her AirPods fell to the ground. She stopped to retrieve them, but the situation quickly escalated when a man allegedly approached her and demanded her belongings.
“‘Give me everything,’ and then he punched me and he punched me again and I punched him back,” Marroquin said.
Before she could fully understand what was happening, she said two other men joined the confrontation and grabbed her backpack. According to her account, the men opened the bag and removed her belongings.
Marroquin said the suspects also took her Stanley cup and threw it in front of her. Fearing for her life, she grabbed the cup and used it to strike one of the men.
“The first reaction was they’re going to kill me, so I grabbed the cup and hit the first guy,” she told CBS News New York. “So they felt I was defending myself and they run.”
She said the men fled after she fought back.
Victim Questions Why Attack Happened Over Her Belongings
Although Marroquin said she managed to defend herself, the experience left her shaken. She questioned why anyone would risk seriously hurting another person over property worth less than $500.
“Imagine if they would have done something to me, kill me, for what? Less than $500? Are you kidding me?” she said.
Her account highlights the fear and uncertainty people can experience when a routine trip suddenly becomes dangerous. Marroquin said she wants others to understand how quickly the situation unfolded and why she believes sharing her experience could help prevent another person from facing a similar ordeal.
NYPD Releases Video as Search for Suspects Continues
The NYPD has released video showing men suspected of being involved in the attack and is seeking information that could help identify them.
Marroquin said she believes she would recognize the men if she saw them again. She also explained why she decided to speak publicly about the incident.
“I was strong enough to defend myself, but what if it would have been another person? It wouldn’t be the same situation,” she said.
Despite the frightening experience, Marroquin said she is determined not to let the attack prevent her from living her life.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident or the identities of the suspects to contact the NYPD.
How to Submit a Tip to the NYPD
Anyone with information can contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). Spanish-speaking callers can use 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
Tips can also be submitted through the NYPD’s official Crime Stoppers website or by direct message to @NYPDTips on X.
According to the information provided by the NYPD, all calls are kept confidential.
Investigators are seeking the public’s assistance as the search for the three suspects continues.