A homeless sex pest on parole tried to rape a woman in Central Park — but was stopped in the act by quick-thinking good Samaritans, cops and sources said Tuesday.
Lateef Caldwell, 30, allegedly attacked the 45-year-old victim at about 5:40 p.m. Monday near 109th Street and East Drive, police said.
But the sicko was thwarted when bystanders intervened, law enforcement sources said.
The victim, who sources said was Muslim and wearing a hijab at the time, did not report any injuries.
The assailant attempted to run away but cops caught him at 106th Street and East Drive, according to the sources.
Caldwell, who lives in a Wards Island shelter, was charged with attempted rape, attempted sexual assault and sexual abuse, police said.
He was released on parole less than a year ago in connection to a similar sexual abuse case from April 2022, also in Manhattan, the sources said.
In that incident, he allegedly tackled a 23-year-old apparent stranger to the ground and attempted to remove her clothing, according to the sources.
He was held in an upstate prison on a first-degree attempted sexual abuse charge from March 2023 until April 2025, according to state Corrections records.
His parole was set to expire in 2029, the records show.
Caldwell’s arraignment in the new case was pending Tuesday.