A group of teenagers with hot tempers attacked a retired NYPD lieutenant who tried to intervene when they were harassing a cab driver on the Upper East Side. The incident occurred at Park Avenue and East 84th Street just after 8 p.m. on Tuesday. The 65-year-old retiree witnessed the group of at least five youngsters ganging up on the cabbie and decided to step in and stop them.
However, the situation quickly escalated as the teens turned on the former cop, hitting him with a backpack and punching him in the face, causing him to fall to the ground. The victim, who wished to remain anonymous, described the teenagers as troublemakers who were harassing everyone in sight. He bravely stood up to them when they targeted the cab driver, only to be attacked from behind.
The retired lieutenant sustained minor injuries to his face and knee but refused medical attention at the scene. The attackers, all appearing to be teenagers, managed to flee the scene and were still at large by Friday. The NYPD released photos of each suspect in hopes of identifying and apprehending them.
Descriptions of the suspects included details on their clothing – one was wearing a black T-shirt, black sneakers, and black shorts with a white floral pattern, while another was in a white T-shirt and black pants. A third suspect was seen riding a bike in a white T-shirt and gray pants, and the fourth was wearing a white T-shirt and gray shorts. The fifth suspect was last seen in a black T-shirt and gray pants.
Authorities urged anyone with information on the suspects to contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish speakers. Tips could also be submitted online through the Crime Stoppers website or on social media @NYPDTips.
The violent attack serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers, even after retirement, as they continue to uphold the values of protecting and serving their communities.
