Group beats up homeless men sleeping on street, steal $5
BROOKLYN, New York -- Police are searching for the group of people who violently beat up men sleeping on a Brooklyn sidewalk and stole $5 from one victim.
The attack happened last Saturday around 6:45 a.m. in front of an auto repair shop in Borough Park. The men say the group has attacked them for several years now.
The victim was lying under a sheet, sleeping when a group of men kicked and punched him. The suspects took turns.
They eventually dragged the man before punching and kicking some more.
Police say surveillance video released by the NYPD shows a group of homeless men being assaulted last Saturday around 6:45 a.m. in front of the shop.
A second victim suffered a bloodshot eye from the beating.
Police Commissioner James O'Neill tweeted in part,
"Sharing responsibility for public safety means picking up the phone and helping your police make your neighborhood safer. You can remain anonymous, and you'll get paid for your effort, too."
Police say there were four sleeping victims in all - between the ages of 41 to 61 years old. One of them was left in critical condition due to severe head trauma. Two others were also hospitalized.
Police say the suspects also stole $5.
"I need it to buy my coffee - now (I) have nothing," said one of the victims.
The victims say the men are from the neighborhood.
Commissioner O'Neill also tweeted, 'the community knows these cowards.'
Police need help finding the suspects.
Anyone with information in regards to the above incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
