Off-Duty NYPD Officer Attacked Outside Dunkin' Donuts In Harlem; Suspect In Custody
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - A man is in custody after police said he randomly attacked an off-duty NYPD officer in Harlem Wednesday morning.
The incident took place around 6:50 a.m. at 125th Street and Lenox Avenue.
Investigators said the plainclothes sergeant, 43, had just gotten out of the subway and was on her way to work when she went into a nearby Dunkin' Donuts.
When she walked out of the Dunkin' Donuts, a man waiting outside attacked, CBS2's Ilana Gold reported. He punched and kicked her, causing an eye laceration and bruises to her head, according to police.
Her bag flew to the ground during the beating, Gold reported. Witnesses said the attack came without warning.
"We didn't heard any shout, any screaming, anybody" the manager of the Dunkin' Donuts told 1010 WINS' Al Jones.
A worker said the sergeant is a frequent customer of the shop.
"It's kind of scary because it happened right outside our door," said Dunkin' Donuts employee Dwight Dominic. "I actually didn't see it but once they told me what happened I was like 'Oh wow. I hope they catch the guy.'"
As CBS2's Alice Gainer reported, the officer required stitches and was treated and released from St. Luke's.
Later in the day police could be seen out on the street in front of the Dunkin Donuts conducting, what they called, a regular patrol.
The suspect took off, but was later taken into custody. He was then taken to Harlem Hospital for an evaluation, Jones reported.
Charges are pending.