Dereck Rivera-Deleon was arrested on November 10 near the Miami Beach Police Department headquarters. He faces allegations of raping a woman in Central Park on October 24. His arrest took place more than 1,200 miles from New York City, highlighting cross-state law enforcement collaboration.
The arrest involved officers from the Miami Beach Police Department, New York City Police Department detectives, and members of the U.S. Marshals’ regional task force. Officers approached Rivera-Deleon outside a real estate office, where body camera footage showed them surrounding him with weapons drawn. They instructed him to lie face down, handcuffed him, and informed him of the warrant for his arrest. After the arrest, he was taken directly across the street for booking.
Rivera-Deleon is not only charged with the October 24 incident but also faces accusations of two additional sexual assaults in Central Park in 2021 and 2023. Following his arrest, Rivera-Deleon remains in a Miami Beach jail awaiting extradition to New York.
The victim of the recent October attack reported that a man threatened her with a knife before the assault and escaped on foot. The U.S. Marshals emphasized their commitment to capturing fugitive offenders. Ricky J. Patel, U.S. Marshal for the Southern District of New York, stated that efforts would be made to ensure offenders cannot evade justice anywhere in the country.
For individuals seeking support after sexual assault, the National Sexual Assault Hotline is available at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), or visit rainn.org.