NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Police are searching for two men who they say tried to kiss a woman in Midtown then hurled anti-Black remarks at her and set her boots on fire when she resisted.
The NYPD released images of the suspects Thursday in connection with the suspected hate crime and arson at West 26th Street and Seventh Avenue on the afternoon of Thursday, Feb. 19.
According to police, the 54-year-old victim was approached by the two men just before 3 p.m.
During the exchange, one of them engaged her in conversation and leaned into kiss her, police said.
She pushed him away, and he then allegedly made anti-Black statements to her.
As she tried to walk away, they prevented her from leaving, and one of them took out a lighter and set her boots on fire, police said.
She managed to get away and was not physically injured, according to the NYPD. The value of her damaged boots was around $89.
The NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force is investigating.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.