NYPD officer recovering after violent mugging while jogging in Bronx
CASTLE HILL, Bronx (WABC) -- An NYPD officer is recovering after being attacked and robbed the Bronx by three men, and the search for the suspects continues.
Now detectives have learned that the incident may be part of a robbery spree that has terrorized people for almost a month in the Bronx.
Authorities say 48-year-old Officer Muhammed Chowdhury was off duty and jogging on Olmstead Avenue around 10:50 a.m. Tuesday when three men got out of a Honda and attacked him.
He was just blocks away from his home.
The officer was hit repeatedly in the head before the suspects fled with his cellphone, car keys and wallet.
Chowdhury suffered a fractured skull and brain bleeding and was taken to Jacobi Hospital.
The NYPD released new surveillance video Wednesday night of the four suspects, which was taken after the attack on Officer Chowdhury.
The video shows the suspects getting out of the black Honda sedan they have been using with out of state license plates.
"I'm surprised, I'm unbelievably sad inside this happened," said family friend Mohammed Ali.
Previously released surveillance video shows Chowdhury walking when he was suddenly ambushed and thrown to the ground.
"We never expected this to happen in this area, right where it happened I go to high school there," nephew Jahangir Ahmed said.
The officer, an 18-year veteran, has worked with the Central Park Precinct for at least five years.
He did not return home from his daily jog, but his wife apparently believed he had gone directly to work. Police called his wife after he failed to show up at the Central Park Precinct for his 3 p.m. shift.
Officials said Wednesday that Chowdhury is conscious, alert and able to communicate in his hospital room. Doctors want to keep him for several days for observation, and if he doesn't require surgery, he could then be released.
"As we pray for the speedy recovery of this injured officer, the NYPD is actively investigating today's attack on one of their own and is working tirelessly to bring the suspects to justice," a spokesperson for Mayor Eric Adams said. "We will continue to work day in and day out to remove violent criminals from off the streets and end the unchecked violence in our city."
Authorities say Tuesday's attack is part of a citywide robbery pattern, with 19 total incidents reported.
Surveillance video from two previous attacks shows three men jump out of a black or dark grey sedan, while one remains in the car. The men jump on their victims, punch them and take valuables like phones, money and jewelry.
In some incidents, they display a weapon and carjack vehicles.
Authorities are looking for approximately four suspects, including a getaway driver. The suspects are described as men with thin builds, last seen wearing hooded sweatshirts and surgical masks.
Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch released a statement Tuesday night:
"While we pray at our injured brother's bedside tonight, police officers across this city are searching for the cowards who did this to him. Make no mistake: we will find them. But we will need the rest of the justice system to step up and do its job, too. This is what happens when our leaders refuse to hold criminals accountable - not even a police officer can walk these streets safely."
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 Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on Twitter @NYPDTips.
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