Police were asking for the public’s help Saturday in identifying three suspects involved in a potential bias attack in Queens.
A 19-year-old male was walking southbound on 10th street in Astoria on Wednesday at 1:20 p.m. when three male suspects between the ages of 17 and 19 began following him, according to police.
As the victim heard the suspects approach him, one called him an “Arab” and punched him twice in the face, according to police. The attacker was described as around 5 feet 9 inches tall and 180 pounds with a chin-strap beard and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, black T-shirt, dark colored blue jeans and black sneakers, police said.
When the victim pushed the attacker away, he saw another suspect holding a pipe in his hand and yelling “ISIS, ISIS,” according to police. He was described as having short black, close-cut hair, around 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighing 160 pounds. He was seen wearing a dark, two-tone sweater with vertical lines, black pants and black sneakers, police said.
A third suspect was holding a baseball bat in his hands, according to police. He was described as around 5 feet 9 inches tall and had black hair and a beard. He was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket with white horizontal stripes, black jeans, gray T-shirt and gray sneakers.
The three suspects noticed a witness had seen the incident and then fled, according to police. The victim sustained minor injuries from the attack and refused medical attention.
Police are asking anyone with information to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.
