Central Park Rape Suspect Arrested in Miami Beach Linked to 2 Other Rapes

Miami arrest links suspect to multiple Central Park attacks

Dereck Rivera-Deleon was arrested Tuesday while working at a Burger King in Miami Beach, according to the NYPD.

The arrest connects the Bronx resident to a knifepoint sexual assault of a 39-year-old woman in Central Park on Oct. 24, 2026, ABC7 New York reported. Authorities say Rivera-Deleon will also face charges for two other rapes that occurred within the same park in July 2021 and October 2023.

The investigation into the October attack, which took place near East 67th Street and East Drive, triggered a citywide search and increased police presence throughout the Manhattan landmark. Rivera-Deleon is being held in Florida pending an extradition hearing scheduled for Wednesday, according to police reports.

NYPD detectives assigned to the U. S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force with support from @USMarshalsHQ partners took Dereck Rivera-Deleon into custody today while he was working at Burger King in Miami for allegedly raping a woman in Central Park on October 24, 2026.…

— Post by @NYPDnews on X

DNA evidence and cellphone tracking lead to Rivera-Deleon arrest

Detectives identified Rivera-Deleon by tracking his cellphone after the October assault, which NBC New York reported. Investigators have linked him to at least one of the cases through DNA evidence and have secured positive identifications from victims in two of the incidents.

The NYPD’s U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force led the operation in Florida with support from the U.S. Marshals Service. While working at the fast-food chain on Washington Avenue, Rivera-Deleon was taken into custody, according to the NYPD. Burger King stated that he had been employed there for less than two weeks and is no longer with the company, NBC New York reported.

Suspect in 3 Central Park rapes arrested working at Miami Burger King

The specific details of the October 24 attack involved the suspect approaching a woman around 8:30 p.m., displaying a knife, and forcing her into a wooded area, according to the NY Post. The victim was subsequently hospitalized in stable condition. Police are currently examining whether Rivera-Deleon is connected to other crimes in both New York City and Miami.

Rising crime in the park

The arrest follows increased safety concerns in Central Park. Major crime in the park has risen by 17%, a trend driven by an increase in robberies and rapes, according to NYPD data. This year also saw the park’s first homicide in at least a decade.

Central park rapist comp — Photo: nypost.com

The October incident was the fifth reported sexual assault in the park this year. The NYPD has since increased patrols, though residents have expressed varying views on the visibility of law enforcement. The NY Post reported that some visitors expressed a desire for more evening police presence to ensure safety in the park’s darker areas.

Incident Date	Location	Status
July 18, 2021	Central Park	Charged
October 6, 2023	Central Park	Charged
October 24, 2026	Central Park	Charged

Mayor Zohran Mamdani previously described the October assault as “horrific,” stating that every New Yorker should be able to walk safely anywhere in the city, according to ABC7 New York. Following the attack, the NYPD urged all visitors to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings.

Central Park rape suspect arrested while working in Miami, linked to 2 others

Ricky J. Patel, the U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of New York, stated that when violent offenders attempt to flee to avoid justice, authorities will ensure they cannot hide in any corner of the country, according to the NY Post.

Rivera-Deleon’s legal representation was not immediately available, and the timeline for his return to New York remains uncertain as the extradition process begins.