EAST VILLAGE, Manhattan — An attacker repeatedly stabbed a sleeping man inside of East River Park, police said Sunday.

The stabbing happened early in the morning on Dec. 24 near East 10th Street and the FDR, officials said. The 38-year-old victim was asleep on a park bench and woke up as he was stabbed in the back and arm.

When the victim woke up, the stabber covered his face with a black ski mask and ran out of the park, police said. The attacker took his mask off and smiled at the victim before he ran into the Jacob Riis public housing development.

The victim was rushed to a local hospital after the attack.

Police have asked for help identifying the stabber. He's about 5 feet, 11 inches tall and is believed to be between 25 to 35 years of age. The man was last seen wearing a black hooded sweater, gray sweatpants and light colored sneakers.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting www.nypdcrimestoppers.com, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

