New York police are investigating a series of assaults on Hasidic Jews in Williamsburg as hate crimes, officials said Monday.

At least three people between the ages of 56 and 71 were violently mugged in the Brooklyn neighborhood within an hour, a local CBS affiliate reports. At least two were taken to the hospital.

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New York Police Department Chief Dermont Shea tweeted that the hate crimes unit and the local precinct are investigating the assaults.

He asked victims or anyone with information to contact the department tips line.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio Bill de BlasioOVERNIGHT ENERGY: California seeks to sell only electric cars by 2035 | EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities | House energy package sparks criticism from left and right EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities New Year's Eve in Times Square to be largely virtual amid pandemic MORE, a Democratic presidential candidate, said additional personnel will be patrolling the area to “keep things safe.”

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

Police told CBS they believe there were three attackers, all teenage boys, that snuck up behind the victims, punched them in the face and went through their pockets.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) directed the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to provide the NYPD with any resources necessary to assist the investigation.

"In New York, we have absolutely zero tolerance for such heinous acts; they are completely unacceptable and are repugnant to our values of diversity and inclusion," Cuomo said in an emailed statement on Monday.

"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."

Updated 9:57 a.m.