Hudson Valley Woman Attacked While Reading in Park

Police say a Hudson Valley woman was reading at a local park when she was attacked in the middle of the day.

The incident occurred on Monday, Oct. 17 at 2:35pm. According to a 911 call, the woman was reading in Spratt Park near the pool when a man punched her in the head and attempted to tear her clothes off.

The attacker was said to be a white male in his 50s or early 60s. He was dressed in "scraggly, dirty clothes," had a thin build and was was not very tall. The victim also said that the man had a dark beard with gray in it and darker hair.

After fighting off the attacker the woman called 911. That's when the man fled in an unknown direction.

If anyone has information about the incident or has information that may help identify the attacker they're asked to call the City of Poughkeepsie Police at (845) 451-7577.