86-Year-Old Man Attacked, Robbed in Central Park: NYPD

CENTRAL PARK, NY — A group of young men attacked and robbed an 86-year-old man just after midnight on Friday as he and his wife were walking through Central Park.

According to police, the man was walking through Central Park near 76th Street and East Drive at 12:35 a.m. with his wife, 56, when a group of four men said "Hello" to the couple about 50 feet into the park. The couple responded "Hello" and kept walking. The men asked if the couple could spare any money, but the elderly man declined, police said.

That's when one of the suspects grabbed the 86-year-old by the back of his shirt collar and threw him to the ground, police said. The suspect reached into the man's backpack and stole his wallet containing $20, a MetroCard and his ID, according to police.

The man suffered a cut to his right cheek and eye, but refused medical attention on the scene.

The suspect who threw the man to the ground is described as being in his 20s, chubby and wearing a white T-shirt, police said. The suspects fled westbound through the park. Police said there was no description of the three accomplices in the attack.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Photo Credit: Patch