Reward Offered for Info of Violent Robbery in Midwood

A reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of two men who viciously attacked a woman in an apartment building elevator in Midwood on Sunday, robbing her before they fled.

Councilman Chaim Deutsch announced Wednesday that he is offering a $2,500 reward in the assault of the young woman at about 9:30 p.m., in the vicinity of Avenue M and East 18th Street in Midwood.

In the attack, which was captured by several surveillance cameras in the building, the victim is seen entering her apartment building and going into the elevator. Immediately following her into the elevator were the two suspects, both black males. One of them is 20 to 25 years old, wearing a black T-shirt and multi-colored pants. The other, in his late teens to early 20s, was wearing an orange T-shirt, beige shorts and a backpack.

The woman, apparently frightened at being alone in the elevator, attempted to walk out. She was thrown to the floor and beaten before the assailants made off with her pocketbook.

A camera outside the building caught one of the attackers throwing something, perhaps the pocketbook, over a fence.

Police are searching for the suspects and are asking for the public’s help.

“Violent crimes such as this will not be tolerated.” said Deutsch, who founded the Flatbush Shomrim two decades ago amid a surge in crime.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS.

This article appeared in print on page 10 of the July 31st, 2014 edition of Hamodia.