Police ID unhinged man behind string of random attacks on Upper East Side

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NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Police have identified a man they say punched a woman in the face and chased a man with a knife on the Upper East Side earlier this week.

Police believe 27-year-old Gary Smith is the man who slugged a 21-year-old woman in the face on East 85th Street Monday morning minutes after chasing a man around a car with a knife on Park Avenue.

Surveillance video released by police earlier this week shows the attack on the woman.

Smith is also believed to be behind a confrontation with a man and woman near East 87 Street and Third Avenue. Police say he purposely bumped into them before brandishing a knife.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.

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