Joseph Russo Facing Hate Crime Charges In Connection To 2 Anti-Asian Attacks In Brooklyn

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Brooklyn man is facing hate crime charges after allegedly pushing a 77-year-old Asian man to the ground.

It happened around 11:15 a.m. Monday in front of J&R NY Supermarket on Avenue U in Sheepshead Bay.

Police said the victim was looking at vegetables outside the store, when the suspect knocked him down and kept walking.

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The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating after police say a 77-year-old Asian man was pushed to the ground in Brooklyn. (Credit: NYPD)

Investigators believe it was a random attack and no words were exchanged.

Surveillance video taken before the assault shows the suspect grab a bouquet of flowers outside a store and throw it across the sidewalk.

Police announced Wednesday that 27-year-old Joseph Russo, of Brooklyn, had been arrested.

Russo is facing charges of assault as a hate crime and aggravated harassment as a hate crime.

He is also facing charges in connection to another incident in Brooklyn.

Police say on March 22, Russo allegedly approached a 32-year-old Asian woman on Kings Highway and grabbed and pulled her hair. He then let her go and walked away without saying anything.

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