Beggar chokes man until he is unconscious then steals his wallet

A violent beggar choked a West Side man into unconsciousness in Central Park’s Ramble in a hellish mugging that underscores the famed park’s skyrocketing robbery stats. “If you scream I’ll kill you,” were the last words the 53-year-old victim heard Thursday night as the fiend’s arm tightened around his throat and he collapsed to the ground, cops said. Upon regaining consciousness about half an hour later, the victim found that his wallet was gone. His backpack, which held glasses, keys, gift cards, jewelry and cash, was also gone, cops said. News of the brutal mugging had park-goers on edge Saturday. “I am hungry. Do you have any money?” the suspect asked. The victim tried at first to brush the beggar off, telling him he had no cash and walking away. But the mugger, who appeared to be around 35 years old, 5-foot-8 and weighing 160 pounds, jumped him from behind. He was still at large Saturday night.