String of muggings in Queens under investigation; new sketch released
FOREST HILLS, Queens (WABC) -- Police are looking for a man in connection with a string of muggings in Queens.
Around 5:50 p.m. Feb. 8, on 70th Road, the suspect approached an 82-year-old woman from behind and hit her on the head with a blunt object, according to the New York City Police Department. She was knocked to the ground, and her purse with 2 debit cards and a credit card inside was stolen. The suspect fled.
The victim was cut on the back of her head and was taken to Forest Hills Hospital in serious but stable condition.
Around 5:45 p.m. Feb. 28, on Harrow Street, a man stepped out of the driver's side of a blue sedan and went up to a 53-year-old woman from behind. Police said he hit her on the head with a blunt object; she fell to the ground, unconscious.
When the woman woke up, her purse containing four debit cards, two credit cards and about $51 in cash were gone. The back of her head was cut and she was taken to Forest Hills Hospital in serious but stable condition.
"He was screaming like he was on drugs," said the victim in the Harrow Street incident who spoke with Eyewitness News but wanted to remain anonymous. "He didn't care if I lived or died."
She said he hit her three times. "I want him caught ... I don't know how I survived," she said. "Most people would not survive."
She said she still gets flashbacks from the incident.
Around 8:20 p.m. Jan. 18, police say the same man went up to a woman at 65th Avenue and 99 Street. He threatened her with a knife, then punched her in the face and stole her purse containing an iPhone and credit cards, according to the NYPD.
The suspect fled on foot toward 102nd Street. The victim's face was bruised.
Raw video from the NYPD:
The individual is described as black, 6 feet with a medium build; he was last seen wearing a dark colored sweatshirt.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
