Woman robbed, punched in Central Park

A homeless man has been arrested for a brazen daytime mugging in Central Park.

According to the NYPD, a 40-year-old woman was sitting on a bench near East 110th Street and East Drive just after 10 a.m. on June 11 when the man attempted to take an iPhone she was holding from her hand.

As she struggled to keep the phone, he threw several punches at her and landed one on her face, knocking her to the ground. He then ran away towards East 110th Street and Central Park North.

A woman walking a dog attempted to trip him but was unsuccessful.

The victim was not seriously hurt.

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On Monday afternoon, police said they had arrested 53-year-old Gerardo Rosario Cruz.  He faces robbery charges.  It was unclear if he had a lawyer who could speak on his behalf.

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