BROOKLYN – In a New York Post interview, a 41 year old Orthodox Jewish man described how he was viciously beaten as he walked to the synagogue last Friday morning.
The man, identified as Levi Zupnick, said that he was attacked from behind, leaving him unaware that there were actually two men involved in the incident until he saw surveillance video obtained of the scene.
As previously reported on VIN News, Zupnick was walking on New York Avenue between avenues J and K at 5:45 when the incident occurred.
“They were punching me in the face,” said Zupnick. “I had blood on my face, my shirt. Everything was bloody.”
FACE OF EVIL: After hours of following their steps via camera footage, our volunteers obtained video of the faces of the pair – wanted for this morning’s vicious assault/robbery on New York Ave. If you recognize them, contact @NYPD63Pct & #Shomrim 718-338-9797. @NYPDHateCrimes https://t.co/iSh5oegt1P pic.twitter.com/5HSuZgUrq4
— Flatbush Shomrim Safety Patrol (@FlatbushShomrim) July 16, 2021
This pair viciously assaulted and robbed a local resident on his way to Shul this morning. His Tefillin were ultimately recovered by our volunteers.#Shomrim is offering a $1k reward for info leading to arrests – call @NYPD63Pct 911 and our hotline 718-338-9797 with any info. pic.twitter.com/i800Fvyjts
— Flatbush Shomrim Safety Patrol (@FlatbushShomrim) July 16, 2021
Zupnick said that his calls for help went unanswered and that his attackers said nothing as they struck him repeatedly, leaving him bruised and bloodied and taking his tallis and tefillin with them. The injured man rang the bell of a nearby home for help once the perpetrators fled the scene, and when no one answered, he called Flatbush Shomrim who responded to the scene.
Zupnick had been on his way to open up the synagogue where he prays and to make coffee for the other congregants. One, who declined to give his name, said that Zupnick was badly bruised and very shaken up.
“You can understand how devastating this is to anyone, innocent people who live in the city,” said the man. “To be attacked unprovoked – it’s a travesty.”
Zupnick said that he hopes to see his attackers arrested and Flatbush Shomrim is offering a $1,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest. The incident, which is being classified as an assault and robbery, is currently being investigated as a hate crime.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Crime Stoppers Hotline by phone at 800-577-TIPS, by text at 247637 (CRIMES) and then entering TIP577 or online at www.NYPDCrimeStoppers.com.
As reported by Vos Iz Neias