NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force is searching for a man they said punched a woman headed to an Anti-Asian Violence protest in Manhattan on Sunday.
At approximately 11:37 a.m. on March 21, a 37-year-old woman was heading to an Anti-Asian Violence protest in the vicinity of 51 Astor Place when she was approached by the unidentified man who asked for the sign that she was carrying, officials said.
The man attempted to throw her sign into a garbage can but then placed the sign on the ground and stomped on it, authorities said.
When the victim asked the man why he did that, he punched her twice in the face with a closed fist, according to police.
The suspect then fled into the Astor Place and 8 Street subway station's 6 line in NoHo, the NYPD said.
The victim sustained a small laceration and bruising to her lip and a sprained ankle while running after the individual.
EMS transported the victim to Lenox Hill Healthplex Hospital for treatment.
Police described the suspect as being approximately 6'1" tall, 200 pounds, with a medium complexion, slim build, black hair.
He was last seen wearing a red Chicago Bulls hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, a black baseball hat, a black face mask, black sneakers, and carrying a green backpack, officials said.
The victim provided police cellphone video and photos depicting the individual, officials said.
Anyone with information regarding the identity of this individual is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
