An elderly man buying a cup of coffee at a bodega near the Seward Park co-ops was assaulted and had his can stolen after refusing a man’s demand for money, police said.
Cops said the 82-year-old victim was inside the bodega at 219 East Broadway, at Clinton St., on Wed., June 16, around 6:20 a.m., and buying a cup of Joe to start his day when an unknown man approached him and demanded money.
The octogenarian refused to comply, at which point the stranger menacingly raised his fist and threatened to punch him and steal his cane unless he did. The victim continued to refuse and then, making good on his words, the attacker rapped the victim in the head and snatched away his walking stick, pushing the unsteady senior to the ground for good measure.
The assailant fled heading eastbound on East Broadway and then southbound on Clinton St. The victim suffered a minor head injury and refused medical attention at the scene.
The suspect is described as roughly in his 30s and partially bald. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, black pants and black sneakers.
Police released surveillance video of the alleged suspect from the bodega. The video shows that some witnesses at least made efforts to try to stop the attacker as he fled out of the store.
Police ask that anyone with information call the N.Y.P.D.’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Tips can also be submitted on the Crime Stoppers Web site at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or on Twitter at @NYPDTips.
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