By Carol Tannenhauser
The NYPD is asking for the public’s help in finding the man and woman in the photograph above and the video below, for questioning in connection with an assault on a 65-year-old man on a platform at the 72nd Street and Broadway subway station, on Wednesday, July 6.
The victim had exited a northbound 1 train at about 10:25 pm, when a man — unknown to him — approached from behind and punched him in the back, police reported. “The victim turned around to confront the attacker, who then punched him in the face.”
The couple waited for and boarded a northbound 2 train, which the 65-year-old man boarded also, following his attackers in a separate car, police said. All three exited at the Central Park North-110th Street station.
The 65-year-old man tried unsuccessfully to continue following his attackers, who headed eastbound on West 110th Street, before calling the police.
He described the man who assaulted him as “approximately 25 years old, 5’9″ tall, 165 pounds, with a light complexion, medium build, and long, black hair placed in a bun. He was wearing a blue baseball cap, a white t-shirt, black shorts, and black sneakers.”
He described the woman as “approximately 25 years old, with a light complexion, thin build, and long, brown hair. She was wearing a red tank top, black shorts, black sneakers, and pushing a white suitcase.”
The man’s face was bruised, but he refused medical attention.
Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or on Twitter @NYPDTips. All calls are strictly confidential.
To punch a 65-year old just for the heck of it? These two are such low lives, beyond despicable.
Crazy or heroic?
Crazy.
Even if he caught up with them there would be no more likelihood of arrest or prosecution. But it’s very likely that someone who initially attacked without provocation would attack again perhaps fatally.
I hope they are caught and sent to Rikers.
So they get beat up at Riders.
Too bad.
Want to stay out of Rikers?
Don’t assault people.
There seem to be some pieces missing from this story (not the writing, but the account of what and why…)
Yes! 72nd street Broadway station – no cops around, uniform or street clothes. No cops around, then 30-40 of them show up after for the “media event.”
I live near that subway stop and it is pretty busy, even during a weeknight at 10 pm. How did no one else see this and help that man? And I applaud his efforts. I am a bit of a vigilante. I want these 2 caught, punished, and publicly shamed.
Unfortunately stepping up to help someone in such a situation could easily lead to further violence against those who try to help. I applaud the victim and I’m confident the perpetrator will be charged soon.
What is needed is obviously better policing, but also better coverage by cameras. Yes, I know we need to look out for civil rights. But in a constricted space like a subway station where riders have a reasonable expectation of safety I think cameras that actually work (I’m looking at you MTA) could be helpful.
The summer of 2020 emboldened A LOT of people in criminal and antisocial behavior. There are no consequences
This man is nothing short of courageous; following and noting the description of these assailants as carefully as he did.
I applaud not only his courage, but also his dogged determination, trailing these dangerous sociopaths, before they attack other unwary pedestrians in their cowardly fashion (sneaking up behind victims the way they did) again and again… and maybe the next victim(s) will not be as lucky in the outcome of their attack as this 65-year-old was.