Brownsville Teen Attacked 3 Sikh Men In Queens Hate Crimes: DA

BROWNSVILLE, BROOKLYN — A Brownsville teen has been arrested on hate crime charges for attacking three Sikh men in Queens, among them a 70-year-old on his way to temple, prosecutors said.

Vernon Douglas, 19, is accused of beating three men, all of whom wore turbans, and robbing two on a Richmond Hills street corner earlier this month, prosecutors said.

"We will not tolerate beatings motivated by hate in the borough of Queens – the most diverse county in the world," Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. "Our diversity is our strength and no acts of violence will undermine who we are."

A Queens man, Hezekiah Coleman, was charged for participating in one of the attacks, prosecutors said.

Douglas, shirtless and carrying a stick, attacked two of the Sikh men within minutes on the corner of 95th Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard last Tuesday, according to prosecutors.

The Brooklyn teen hit a 45-year-old man with a stick, punched the man in the head and face, then grabbed a wallet that fell from his victim's pocket, prosecutors said.

Douglas stole $300 from the wallet and fled, only to return minutes later for another attack, prosectors said.

Douglas swung his stick at a 58-year-old man, knocked off his turban, then picked up the head wrap and yanked the man's beard, prosectors said.

Coleman, 20, joined Douglas in the attack, punching the 58-year-old man and threatening to shoot him, prosecutors said.

Douglas took $200 from the victim’s pocket before running away, prosecutors said.

Douglas, who lives on Watkins Street, faces robbery, assault, harassment and hate crime charges, including assaulting an elderly person, according to prosecutors.

Coleman, who is from 118th Street in Richmond Hill,was charged with robbery and assault, prosecutors said.

Both men could face up to 25 years if convicted.

The string of attacks began on April 3 when Douglas assaulted Singh, who was visiting from Canada, according to authorities.

Photos of Singh with his turban, beard and shirt stained with blood spurred outrage across the city.

"Singh was punched from behind," United Sikhs tweeted, alongside photos that show Singh's turban, beard and shirt stained in blood.

"Singh's experience is another example of how innocents are target of hatred."