1 Suspect Charged, 1 Sought In Attack On Woman In Midwood
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - A suspect was charged Wednesday evening in a brutal attack on a woman in Midwood, Brooklyn.
Tyler Hoppin, 18, was charged with robbery, assault, and criminal possession of stolen property, police told CBS 2.
The entire assault was caught on surveillance video.
The 18-year-old victim was walking into a building Sunday night at around 9:35 p.m. The suspects followed her in a few seconds later.
On the surveillance video, the first suspect can be seen smiling and talking over his shoulder to the second suspect who walks in a moment later, also with a smile.
They follow the woman down the hallway to the elevator. After she steps into the elevator, the second suspect grabs her by the neck and forces her back into the hallway, tossing her to the ground.
On her way down, the woman can be seen punching and kicking at the men who attacked her, but she was no match for them, CBS 2's Don Champion reported.
Once on the ground, the duo can be seen struggling with the woman and punching her.
A few moments after the attack begins, a person can be seen in the video watching the whole thing take place from down the hallway. That person quickly ducks away after apparently being noticed by the attackers.
One suspect could also be seen on the video running away after the attack and apparently throwing the woman's stolen purse into the bushes.
"It's scary, because it's a good neighborhood," Anna Kopiievska told Champion. Kopiievska lives in the building where the attack happened and is concerned the duo may strike again.
"They weren't even scared of the cameras or anything, they just went in. I don't know, it's horrible," Kopiievska said.
Neighbors who watched the video didn't recognize the bandits but were shaken, Champion reported.
"Who knows, who knows, things are barbaric," said neighbor David Youssian. "You always have to watch your back, always. Even in a safe neighborhood like this."
Police said the victim didn't know her attackers.
Neighbors told Champion the block where the attack took place is normally quiet, something that might've helped the crooks slip away.
"At evening, like 9 p.m., everything is closed here, so no people are walking around," one man told Champion.
"People are scared and everybody's hoping they find those people," said Kopiievska.
Detectives told Champion the victim is recovering well but is very concerned about her safety.
Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the NYPD's Crime Stoppers division at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You can also submit tips via the Crime Stoppers website. You can also text your tips to CRIMES (274637) and then enter TIP577.
All calls are kept confidential.
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