A 19-year-old formative years has been arrested and faces hate crime fees for his alleged involvement in assaults on 3 Sikh males in Queens right here, together with the brutal attack of an aged Sikh vacationer early this month, that was once condemned as “deeply aggravating” by way of the Consulate Normal of India.
Vernon Douglas of Brownsville was once arrested on Thursday in Brooklyn and charged with a couple of counts of theft, attack, annoyed harassment and hate crimes, the Queens Chronicle reported.
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On April 3, Douglas allegedly approached 70-year-old Nirmal Singh close to the nook of Lefferts Street and ninety fifth Street and punched him within the face within the unprovoked attack. The attacker fled the scene on foot and the incident was once taken over by way of the NYPD Hate Crime Job Power.
The pictures shared on social media confirmed Singh with a bloodied turban, face and garments.
Singh was once a “vacationer visiting from India” and he was once in a position to stroll again after the attack to the cultural centre the place he have been staying since he arrived in New York Town. He suffered a damaged nostril and bruises to his face.
The Consulate Normal of India in New York had condemned the attack at the aged Sikh guy terming it as “deeply aggravating,” and mentioned they had been involved with the police who’re investigating this heinous hate crime.
The Sikh Coalition mentioned that Singh selected to go back to India after the assault to be able to be along with his circle of relatives.
The arrested accused was once additionally concerned within the assault on two Sikh males in the similar neighbourhood within the town this week, the record mentioned.
Douglas and some other suspect, who was once arrested previous, on Tuesday, attacked two Sikh males, casting off their non secular headwear, robbing them in their cash and hanging them at the head and frame with closed fists and a picket stick.
The assault took place “very shut” to the realm the place septuagenarian Singh was once punched.
Whilst 20-year previous Hezekiah Coleman was once taken into custody at the identical day from an deserted space close to the scene of the incident, Douglas remained at massive.
New York State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, the primary Punjabi American ever elected to New York State Place of work, tweeted “I’m gratified to record that the NYPD has apprehended the second one suspect in Tuesday’s heinous crime towards the Sikh group.” “This comes at the heels of the opposite suspect being officially charged this morning with hate crimes,” she mentioned.
She had previous famous that there was an alarming 200% upward push in hate crimes towards the Sikh group in recent times. She handed a ancient answer wherein New York State recognises April as Punjabi month.