A man is being sought by the police after he choked a six-year-old girl during a robbery in Brooklyn. He stole gold necklaces that were birthday gifts from their mother, belonging to both the girl and her sister.
The NYPD has released images of the suspect who approached a 14-year-old girl and her younger sister at their apartment building near Eastern Parkway and Ralph Avenue in Crown Heights on Wednesday, May 29.
The 14-year-old girl recounted to Eyewitness News how she and her six-year-old sister were walking home from school when the man suddenly approached them. He demanded that they hand over their necklaces.
The older girl described how the man grabbed her by the neck, leaving her unable to react. Meanwhile, her younger sister looked on in fear and began to scream.
According to the police, the man proceeded to choke the younger girl with one hand while forcibly removing her necklace. Simultaneously, he snatched the older girl’s jewelry before making his escape.
Both girls were promptly taken to the Maimonides Medical Center, where they were assessed and found to be in stable condition.
The girls reported that the suspect trailed them from school, closely following their every move. He continued to shadow them as they entered their building, eventually cornering them in the narrow lobby.
At that moment, the children’s mother was at work. She expressed relief that the man did not attempt to abduct the girls. She shared her concern, saying, ‘I’m always anxious—I call my daughter every time she leaves school to ensure her safety.’
Authorities estimate that the suspect falls within the age range of 25 to 40 years. He stands approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and has dark hair pulled back into a ponytail.
During the incident, he was seen wearing a white shirt and carrying a Target shopping bag. Later, he changed into a grey sweatshirt, which he retrieved from his bag.
Anyone with information about the incident to contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish speakers, at 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Tips can also be submitted via the @NYPDTips platform.
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