Video released of suspect in Queens hate crime hammer attack

WOODSIDE, Queens (WABC) -- Police investigating an apparent bias attack in Queens are hoping new surveillance video will lead to an arrest.

The incident happened around 6 a.m. on August 17 in the vicinity of 67th Street and 41st Avenue in Woodside.

Authorities say the suspect exited a gray Toyota 4Runner and approached the 28-year-old female victim. He allegedly attempted to remove her purse and struck her head with a hammer while making anti-gay comments.

The suspect fled the scene in his vehicle and drove southbound on 66th Street without any property.

The victim suffered a laceration, bleeding and substantial pain to the back of her head.

She was transported to Elmhurst Hospital, where she was treated and released.

The incident is being investigated by the NYPD's Hate Crime Task Force, and anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).