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NYPD identifies suspect in random punch of woman in Manhattan
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Mar 29, 2024
Modified Mar 29, 2024
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Gothamist
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Mar 29, 2024
Modified Mar 29, 2024
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Police have identified a suspect who they say punched a woman in the head at random near the Flatiron District earlier this week.
The announcement from police on Thursday evening came amid a string of women reporting they were punched out of nowhere in Manhattan.
The NYPD said the 24-year-old victim was walking on 6th Avenue near W. 23rd Street just before 1 p.m. on Tuesday when the 35-year-old suspect hit her with his closed fist.
At least six women, including reality TV star Bethenny Frankel of the “Real Housewives of New York City,” have described similar events to police and on TikTok. The NYPD previously announced the arrest of a suspect in one of the other assaults, Skiboky Stora, 40. Police have not named suspects in the other attacks.
Speculation about the incidents is running wild on social media, including unfounded rumors that the assaults are part of a movement to instill fear among women.
Meanwhile, the police detailed other alleged crimes targeting women. A police spokesperson said they were not connected to the assaults detailed on TikTok.
On March 18, a 31-year-old woman walking in the Mott Haven neighborhood of the Bronx with her child was groped from behind by a stranger, police said.
The NYPD also said it was searching for another suspect who allegedly groped two women in separate incidents in Chelsea on Tuesday within minutes of each other.
While major crimes like murders, rapes and shootings continue to trend down citywide, NYPD data shows that felony assaults and misdemeanor assaults – where a suspect intends to cause physical injury to another person – are up 3% and 10% respectively so far this year compared to the same time period in 2023.
Police urged anyone with information about any of the suspects to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Tips can also be submitted on the Crime Stoppers website.
Tagged
public safety
manhattan
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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