NYPD Seeks Public's Assistance in Identifying Suspects Involved in Series of Assaults

The New York City Police Department is appealing to the public for help in identifying three individuals involved in a series of separate assaults that occurred on Saturday.

These disturbing incidents all took place within the vicinity of East 15th Street and East 18th Street over the course of just one hour.

In the first attack, a 40-year-old man was targeted while walking home from his synagogue near East 15th Street and Avenue L at around 3:25 p.m.

He was approached by three strangers who assaulted him, repeatedly punching him before swiftly making their escape on a scooter. The victim, although sustaining minor injuries, chose not to seek medical attention.

Around 30 minutes later, at approximately 3:59 p.m., a 15-year-old boy fell victim to a similar assault near Avenue J and East 17th Street. He was also attacked by three unidentified individuals who assaulted him physically, inflicting minor injuries. However, like the first victim, the boy declined medical assistance.

The third assault took place at 4:04 p.m., just a few minutes after the second incident. A 27-year-old man was walking near East 18th Street and Avenue L when he was approached by three strangers who proceeded to kick him. They then fled on foot, leaving the victim with minor injuries. He, too, chose not to receive medical attention.

Concerned by these seemingly coordinated attacks, the New York City Police Department's Hate Crimes Task Force has taken charge of the investigation. Their goal is to determine whether these assaults were driven by hate or carried out for other reasons.

While the victims have not been identified publicly, it remains unknown whether they share any characteristics that could have made them targets. The Hate Crimes Task Force is diligently examining all aspects of these incidents to uncover any underlying motives.

If you possess any relevant information regarding the attacks or can help identify the individuals pictured above, the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline is open for your contributions. You can reach them at 1-800-577-8477, or for Spanish speakers, call 1-888-577-4782. Anonymous tips can be submitted online through the CrimeStoppers website or by following @NYPDTips on X, formerly known as Twitter.

We must stand together as a community against these acts of violence and intolerance. By working together, we can assist the authorities in bringing the perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety and well-being of all residents in our city.