NEW YORK - Police on Thursday arrested a man who they say tried to rape a woman while she was walking home Wednesday on Manhattan's Upper West Side.

Police say Desmond Smith, 32, of Manhattan is charged with attempted rape, strangulation, sexual abuse and assault.

Investigators say he approached the victim around 11 p.m. near West 84th Street and Central Park West.

They say he tried to engage her in conversation, but when she ignored his comments, the man allegedly threw her to the ground, punched her, stomped on her and bit her face.

Investigators say he began to remove her clothing, but he was startled by something and ran off.

The woman was taken to Lenox Hill Hospital for treatment.