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Disturbing Video: Elderly Man Sucker-Punched In West Village
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 12, 2014
Modified Aug 12, 2014
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By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 12, 2014
Modified Aug 12, 2014
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The police are hoping the public can help them find two suspects accused of assaulting a 72-year-old man walking down a West Village street yesterday afternoon.
According to the NYPD, it happened at 5:29 p.m. on August 11th: Security camera video shows a male standing in front of 99 Jane Street, with his back turned to an elderly man walking toward him. When the 72-year-old steps behind him, the male suspect abruptly turns and sucker-punches the old man, sending him falling onto the ground.
The victim was taken to a hospital for lacerations and pain to his head and face. Police say the victim fled the scene, along with a second suspect who was waiting across the street.
The police describe the suspects as two black males in their early 20s. The surveillance footage shows the first suspect.
This assault seems to resemble a pattern of attacks from last year described as the "knockout game," in which participants sucker-punch unsuspecting victims. It's unclear from the NYPD's press release whether investigators believe this attack fits a broader pattern of "knockout game" attacks (former Police Commissioner Kelly has previously said it was unclear if it even was a pattern).
Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call Crime stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
Tagged
assault
crime
sucker punch
west village
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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