LIVINGSTON — A woman fought off an attempted rapist while jogging in front of a Staten Island park Monday morning, police said.
The 39-year-old woman was jogging in front of Snug Harbor Cultural Center when Denis Hernandez came up behind her, put his hand over her mouth and tried to drag her into the woods, a spokesman for the NYPD said.
Hernandez also forced a wooden stick into the victim's mouth, causing cuts, prosecutors said.
The woman broke free and alerted police officers who arrested Hernandez after a canvas of the area, police said.
Hernandez was charged with attempted sexual abuse, attempted kidnapping, assault and criminal possession of a weapon at his Tuesday arraignment, according to the Staten Island District Attorney's office.
His bail was set a $100,000 and he's due back in court on Friday.
Contact information for hs lawyer was not immediately available.