Washington Heights & Inwood

Crime & Mayhem

Man Who Attacked Stroller-Pushing WaHi Mom Arrested, Report Says

October 7, 2013 12:17pm | Updated October 7, 2013 1:57pm
Washington Heights Mom Attack Suspect
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WASHINGTON HEIGHTS  — A man suspected of attacking a Washington Heights mother as she jogged with her baby in a stroller last month was arrested Sunday, according to a report.

Oscar Ruiz, 35, was picked up in Englewood, N.J., by police there who were tipped off to his location, according to the New York Post.

Ruiz has not yet been arraigned, a spokeswoman for the Manhattan District Attorney said Monday.

He is suspected of attacking Washington Heights resident Mary Jane Jarman as she jogged with her 8-month-old son on the Hudson River Greenway on Sept. 27.

Ruiz grabbed Jarman in a bear hug and tackled her to the ground before she fought back by hitting him on the head with a metal bike pump, police said.

"I started screaming, trying to attract attention. He came at me," Jarman said.

Jarman said her attacker apologized for the incident, saying, "I'm sorry, I'm sick," before fleeing to the West Side Highway.

When reached by phone Monday morning, Jarman said she hadn't been told of any update on the hunt for Ruiz. 

"I haven't heard anything yet," said Jarman, who added that she and her son are doing well after the attack.

Ruiz, who reportedly is homeless, was identified based on a fingerprint left on the scene, the Post reported.

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