Anthony Smith was arrested for choking and attempting to rape a 21-year-old woman in Times Square

A felon from Manhattan was detained Wednesday after choking a 21-year-old woman unconscious and attempting to rape her in Times Square, according to cops and sources.

Anthony Smith, 37, was arrested in the Lower East Side and charged with attempted rape and strangulation following the gruesome assault early Sunday morning, according to authorities.

According to investigators, Smith had six past charges, the first of which was for robbery in 2006.

In August 2011, he served time in prison for robbery.

 
The alleged sicko was charged with assault with a weapon and possessing contraband while on Rikers Island.

In the latest crime, police said Smith snuck up behind a woman at the corner of West 47th Street and Eighth Avenue around 3:30 a.m.

Smith allegedly choked the victim until she blacked out and then attempted to rape her, sources told The Post.

But when the woman regained consciousness, Smith got spooked and ran off, cops said.