The NYPD's Hate Crime Unit is investigating a series of attempted robberies and assaults carried out against ultra-Orthodox Jewish victims in South Williamsburg this week.

Police say at least three incidents, all involving the same suspects, happened early Monday morning in the neighborhood. The first incident happened around 5 a.m. near 80 Ross Street, where a 71-year-old man was approached by a group of three teens who punched him in the face, then searched his pockets. The suspects fled on foot, and the victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition.

About thirty minutes later, investigators say the teens approached a 67-year-old man near 91 Clymer Street; they also punched him in the face, and searched his pockets, saying, "give me your money" during the robbery. And ten minutes after that, near 626 Wythe Place, the same group allegedly approached a 56-year-old man and punched him in the face, searching his pockets as well. That man was taken to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition.

You can see surveillance footage of the suspects below.

As the Daily News noted, the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating because the suspects appeared to target ultra-Orthodox men in religious garments.

In a statement, Governor Andrew Cuomo said he was directing the state police Hate Crimes Task Force to assist the NYPD investigation, adding that anti-Semitism is "a growing cancer that has been injected into the nation’s body but in New York we will continue to stand united and with one voice condemn any and all acts of hatred and intolerance."

The NYPD is investigating these vicious attacks and our Hate Crimes division is on the scene. We'll be adding additional personnel to patrol the area and keep things safe. If you have any information or were a victim of these attacks, please contact 800-577-TIPS right away. https://t.co/fxfPbzZeCt — Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) August 12, 2019

Thanks to @NYPDnews for their quick response.



No one should have to endure these kinds of attacks. My thoughts are with the victims' families.https://t.co/AzdCNoyDzj — Scott M. Stringer (@NYCComptroller) August 12, 2019

There are other reports that there were an additional three attacks on ultra-Orthodox men on Monday in the same area. An NYPD spokesperson could not confirm that, but told Gothamist, "They are investigating a series of assaults...it's not uncommon for victims of crimes to report them later. This is what we have on file."

SHOCKING! Early this morning 4 elderly Jewish people were attacked while going to Shul, perps attempted to empty their pockets. 1 at Williamsburg St by the hitch place, 2) 70 Ross, 3) 626 Wythe Pl. 4) Morton & Juliana Pl. Hatzolah treated all 4 victims, pic.twitter.com/TbTwTMZIF0 — WILLIAMSBURG NEWS (@WMSBG) August 12, 2019

Update: another 2 assaults occurred 1 at Flushing x Franklin, other at Bedford x Clymer. NYPD called a level 1 mobilization and are on scene with detectives investigating. Total 6 assaults! — WILLIAMSBURG NEWS (@WMSBG) August 12, 2019

EXCLUSIVE SHOCKING VIDEO: Elderly Jewish guy attacked and assaulted on Bedford av x Clymer st early this morning by 3 thugs, please contact @WspuShomrim 7182370202 with any info, or ⁦@NYPD90Pct⁩ ⁦@NYPDDetectives⁩ ⁦@NYPDTips⁩ pic.twitter.com/xtDkhoekwx — WILLIAMSBURG NEWS (@WMSBG) August 12, 2019

Tablet reported last month about the sharp increase in the number of physical assaults against Orthodox Jews in NYC this year, with many local leaders telling them that many assaults go unreported. They wrote, "The latest wave shows some marked differences with past manifestations of anti-Semitism in the city, primarily in that no one can figure out precisely what’s causing it...This latest wave has no evident organizing principle behind it aside from pure hostility against targets that are unmistakably Jewish."

Anyone with information in regard to the identity of these individuals 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 CrimeStoppers website or on Twitter.



