Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: June 13, 1996

Release #275-96

Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Marilyn Mode (212) 374-6700 or Barbara Thompson (212) 335-9400

MAYOR GIULIANI ANNOUNCES ARREST OF SUSPECT WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH MURDER OF ELDERLY WOMAN ON PARK AVENUE AND ASSAULT IN CENTRAL PARK

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and New York City Police Commissioner Howard Safir today joined Manhattan District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau and Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro in announcing the arrest of John Royster (22) in connection with the murder of 65 year-old Evelyn Alvarez at 1082 Park Avenue on June 11, 1996; the attack of a 26 year-old Yonkers woman on the Forrest Avenue Footbridge over Central Park Avenue on June 7, 1996; the assault of a woman at 63rd and York Avenue on June 5, 1996 and the attack on the 32 year-old piano instructor in Central Park on June 4, 1996.

Mr. Royster will be charged with the following:

Attack on the 32 year-old piano instructor in Central Park on June 4, 1996:

Attempted Murder in the Second Degree; Robbery in the First Degree; Sexual Abuse in the First Degree; Attempted Rape in the First Degree; Assault in the First Degree.
Assault of a woman at 63rd and York Avenue on June 5, 1996:

Assault in the First Degree; Robbery in the First Degree.
Murder of 65 year-old Evelyn Alvarez at 1082 Park Avenue on June 11, 1996:

Murder in the First and Second Degree.

Charges have not yet been filed in the case of the rape of a 26 year-old Yonkers woman on the Forest Avenue Footbridge over Central Park Avenue on June 7, 1996.

Mayor Giuliani said, “This is a stunning achievement for the New York City Police Department and the District Attorney’s office in bringing these cases to such a decisive point so quickly. They have restored a sense of order and justice to our City. I also want to commend the New Yorkers and in particular the media who cooperated in so many aspects of this case.”

District Attorney Morgenthau said, “This defendant will be charged with the most serious offense which is supported by the evidence for each crime. The investigation is continuing, and my office will begin presenting evidence to the grand jury promptly.”

Commissioner Safir said, “The arrest today of John Royster is the culmination of excellent detective work by the members of the New York City Police Department. As Police Commissioner, I want to commend the men and women who’ve worked day and night for the past ten days to ensure that this criminal was taken off of our streets, out of our neighborhoods and into the hands of the New York City Police Department. It is yet another example of this Department’s continued successes in the fight against crime as well as its dedication to ensuring the safety of every New Yorker.”

District Attorney Pirro said, “The person believed to be responsible for at least four heinous, brutal attacks is no longer free tonight to terrorize our community. My heart and prayers go out to the surviving victims and their family members.”