A man riding a Citi Bike attacked a 70-year-old Jewish man and hurled an antisemitic insult after bumping into his victim in Central Park, cops said Friday.
“F—ing Jew!” the man screamed as he punched his victim during an exchange on West Drive near W. 96th St. inside the city’s iconic greenspace on Saturday, according to police.
The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the assault.
The victim was walking along West Drive at about 6:10 p.m. when the bicyclist rolled up from behind and bumped into him as he passed.
Outraged, the victim screamed at the bicyclist, who stopped his bike and started arguing with the man.
During the exchange, the suspect screamed a racial epithet and punched the older man in the body before jumping back on his Citi Bike and pedaling off, police said.
The victim was not seriously harmed and declined medical attention.
Cops on Friday released images of the bicyclist in the hopes that someone recognizes him.
He’s described as white with a thin build and a salt-and-pepper beard. He was last seen wearing an orange baseball hat, a white T-shirt, black pants, black sneakers, and wearing a cross-body black bag.
Anyone with information regarding this whereabouts is urged to call NYPD CrimeStoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
