Crime & Safety
LIC, Astoria E-Scooter Attacker Arrested On Hate Crime Charges: NYPD
Michael Torres, 45, was arrested on Saturday, May 27, after he allegedly punched six people in May, police said.
ASTORIA, QUEENS — The man on an e-scooter who attacked several people in Astoria and Long Island City this month was arrested on hate crime charges over the weekend, police said.
Michael Torres, 45, was arrested on Saturday, May 27, after he allegedly punched six people, including a teacher and two fathers, in May, the NYPD said.
In one incident, a 43-year-old was removing items from her car, parked near P.S. 112 Dutch Kills, when Torres approached her riding a black scooter northbound on Crescent Street and punched her several times on May 18 around 7 a.m., the NYPD said.
Find out what's happening in Astoria-Long Island Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Some of the people who were attacked posted the incidents on Reddit with descriptions and images. One video shows Torres approaching a 30-year-old man on 35th Street and punching the man while he was walking on the sidewalk with another person.
One Reddit user said the attacker shouted racial slurs at him.
Find out what's happening in Astoria-Long Island Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
