NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – The NYPD is hunting for a vicious trio who have been robbing folks along Creston Avenue in the Fordham Heights section of the Bronx.

The brutes are described as African Americans, aged 16-20. They may have a fourth accomplice.

1010 WINS’ Terry Sheridan speaks with the victim https://newyork.cbslocal.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14578484/2011/08/bible-mug-1sheridan-w41-soc-mcmorrow.mp3

Police say the thugs have struck three times in the same spot: 181st & Creston Avenue, just off the Grand Concourse. They’ve allegedly robbed people on July 23, August 3 and August 8. In all three cases, the muggings were in the early morning – between 1:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.

The August 8 attack was caught on tape and is shocking for its senseless brutality.

Watch the surveillance video:

The victim, a 64-year-old man, is seen walking into the lobby of 2100 Creston Avenue. He seems to graciously hold open the lobby door for the suspect approaching him from behind.

Once inside the vestibule, though, the first thug pounces on the man, putting him into a chokehold and hurtling him to the ground. That’s when the other muggers come through the door, one stumbling in eagerness to participate in the attack.

The goons then tug, punch and pull at the victim in an effort to get his belongings. One has a blue shirt turned up over their head, another’s pants are sagging low enough to nearly fall off, the first thug is wearing a yellow shirt.

The victim, who asked not to be identified, told 1010 WINS’ Terry Sheridan the thugs ripped his pants trying to get his wallet and cell phone out of his pocket.

The brutal trio also took his Bible.

The victim said he found his credit cards thrown on the street a day after the alleged attack.

Anyone with any information as to who these suspects are is asked to contact Crime Stoppers. To do so, you can:

Log on to the Crime Stoppers website.

Call 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). All calls are kept confidential.

Text a tip to CRIMES (274367) and entering TIP577.

If caught and captured, what’s the appropriate punishment in this case? Sound off in our comments section.