Suspect in attempted daylight rape of Central Park swimmer in custody for alleged groping on subway platform

A person of interest under surveillance in connection with an attempted daylight rape of a Central Park beachgoer is already in custody for allegedly groping a woman on an Upper West Side subway platform, law enforcement sources said Tuesday.

The 43-year-old man, arrested Thursday in connection with the June 15 assault of a woman inside the West 103 Street and Central Park West subway station, may also be linked to the heinous June 24 attack on a 21-year-old woman at West 104th Street and West Drive, the sources said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, he had not been charged in the park attack and the Manhattan district attorney's office was seeking to convene a grand jury, the sources said.

“She’s sunbathing on a beautiful day in Central Park,” NYPD Patrol Chief John Chell told reporters last week about the attack in the iconic green space. “She sees a man coming toward her, exposing himself. She gets up, screams and (starts) running.”

“He attacked her from behind, trying to mount her,” Chell added. “And she valiantly fought him off a second time.”

A disturbing sketch released by the NYPD shows the pervert with a dark-colored beard cut close to his jaw, a mustache and curly hair.

The patient, who police say is in his thirties, has visible bags under his eyes.

He was held on $7,500 cash bail, $10,000 insurance bail or $15,000 partially secured bail for touching on the subway.

In that case, he allegedly approached a woman from behind and grabbed her buttocks under her dress, according to a criminal complaint.