Psych test ordered for suspect in park attacks
A judge ordered a psychiatric evaluation Tuesday for a man accused of a frightening spree of attacks on three women in an upper Manhattan park.
A Manhattan grand jury indicted Elvis Pichardo on 11 felony counts for the July 21 attacks in Inwood Hill Park. The charges include sexual assault, attempted rape, robbery and public lewdness.
Prosecutors said Pichardo allegedly stormed up to a 34-yearold woman near W. 218th St. and Indian Road, punched her in the face and then swiped her iPhone, Apple watch, and earbuds.
“I want to take you into the park and rape you,” Pichardo allegedly told the woman. “I have a condom.”
Minutes later, prosecutors alleged that Pichardo (bottom) walked up to a 40-year-old woman, demanded sex, and then threatened to kill her dog. A passing jogger scared him off, said police.
Pichardo is also accused of assaulting a 44-year-old woman, striking her in the head with a branch and knocking her unconscious on the same day in the park. Prosecutors say he then stole her purse and phone and tried to remove her trousers.
Hours after the alleged attacks, Pichardo was captured on CCTV in a lewd act inside a medical spa on Sherman Ave. in the Bronx. Police arrested him two days later in the Bronx.
Judge Gregory Carro continued Pichardo’s remanded to jail status and ordered a psychiatric evaluation to determine his mental state.
Pichardo was previously arrested for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman in Waco, Texas. He moved away earlier this year, police sources told the Daily News in July. Pichardo is being held at Rikers Island. He is due back in court next month.