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An off-duty New York City police officer was assaulted and robbed by a group of men who have wreaked havoc in at least 18 violent incidents across the city, officials said.
The New York Police Department investigation intensified Wednesday morning after a 48-year-old off-duty veteran officer was seriously injured during a violent robbery in the Bronx Tuesday morning, police said.
NYPD Commissioner Keychant Sewell tweeted Wednesday, “This needs everyone’s attention.” These individuals were named in 19 robberies, including one that hospitalized an off-duty officer. It’s being arranged, and while we pray for his recovery, the detectives are working tirelessly to find the suspect, and you can help.”
A police officer assigned to Manhattan’s Central Park precinct said three strangers were jogging on Olmsted Avenue near Trumball Avenue in the Bronx just before 11 a.m. Tuesday. A man approached him.
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The New York Police Department said, “They punched the victim in the head multiple times before taking the victim’s cell phone, car keys and wallet.” They then sped away in a black Honda sedan, leaving the victim unconscious and lying on the sidewalk, police and law enforcement sources said.
The victim suffered a broken arm and a cerebral hemorrhage and was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. According to police, his wallet contained multiple debit and credit cards, as well as some form of his ID.
Following the attack, Patrick Lynch, president of the NYC Police Benevolent Association, said investigators were diligently looking for suspects.
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“While I was praying at my wounded brother’s bedside tonight, police officers across the city were looking for the coward who did this to him,” Lynch said. “Surely we will find out.”
Police also released a video of the suspect. It points to the suspect’s involvement in two incidents that were just minutes apart on Monday.
The 36-year-old man was on Quimby Avenue in the Bronx around 7:45 a.m. Monday when the three suspects stepped out of the black Honda sedan, officials said. Someone “showed him a knife and someone else forcibly took out his cell phone and wallet,” which contained an ID and about $40.
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According to police, the victim cut his elbow with a knife as he tried to flee. When the suspect appeared to be in pursuit, they set their sights on his second group of victims, a 48-year-old man and her 32-year-old woman.
As in the previous robbery, one of the suspects held a knife at knifepoint while the other took the woman’s wallet, debit card, ID, and about $1,000.
The series of 19 attacks is believed to have started on August 1st, with the latest reported on Tuesday. Most of the crimes were reported in the Bronx, but some are also said to have occurred in Queens.
Suspects sported knives and guns while carrying out their crimes, and have even carjacked victims with luxury cars such as Porsches.
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Police described the suspect as a thin man with a “dark” complexion. Investigators are asking anyone with information related to the spree to call the NYPD’s Crime Stopper Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
Fox News’ Melissa Summers contributed to this report.