Strangers Beat Woman In Harlem As Kids Looked On, Police Say

EAST HARLEM, NY — Three men beat a defenseless woman in East Harlem while two children watched from inside a car, according to police, who asked for help tracking down the suspects.

It happened around 7 p.m. Friday, near the corner of Park Avenue and East 117th Street. The victim, a 22-year-old woman, was getting out of her car at the intersection when three unknown men walked up.

One man took out a gun and handed it to a second man, who used it to hit the woman on the head. The group then used baseball bats to hit the woman's car repeatedly, badly damaging it, according to police.

All the while, two children were sitting inside the woman's car, police said. She eventually managed to get inside the car and drive away to a safe location, police said.

The woman was treated for minor injuries, including swelling and bruising to the head.

Police released surveillance images showing the three suspects, and asked anyone with information to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). People can also submit tips online or on Twitter, @NYPDTips.