An 81-year-old man was punched in the face during an altercation over a recycling machine in Queens this week, according to police and sources.
The incident involved a man, seen pushing a cart with two large black garbage bags, who argued with the elderly man over the use of a receptacle at the intersection of Elder Avenue and Kissena Avenue in Flushing around 11:40 a.m. on Wednesday, authorities and sources reported.
The assailant then struck the senior twice in the face, police stated.
The octogenarian was transported to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, where he was reported to be in stable condition.
The suspect fled the scene and had not been apprehended by Friday, according to police.
Authorities released images of the suspect, who was last seen wearing a white baseball cap, white T-shirt, light-colored shorts, sneakers, and carrying a backpack.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish speakers, at 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
The public can also submit tips through the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on X @NYPDTips.

