Crime & Safety

Famous UES Jogger Harassed, Doused In Liquid By Duo: Police, Reports

A woman jogging on the Upper East Side was doused in white liquid and berated with anti-gay slurs by two strangers, according to police.

Around 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 21, the 69-year-old woman was jogging near the corner of East 77th Street and Second Avenue when two people threw a milky substance at her while making anti-gay remarks.
Around 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 21, the 69-year-old woman was jogging near the corner of East 77th Street and Second Avenue when two people threw a milky substance at her while making anti-gay remarks. (NYPD)

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — A woman jogging on the Upper East Side was doused in liquid and berated with anti-gay statements by an unknown duo, according to police, who asked for help identifying the assailants.

Around 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 21, the 69-year-old woman was jogging near the corner of East 77th Street and Second Avenue. Though police did not identify her, the New York Post reported that the victim was "Elegant" Elliot Offen, a neighborhood fixture known for jogging around the city in a bright red dress, and for colorful appearances on Howard Stern's radio show in the early 2000s.

As the two people made unspecified anti-gay slurs, they tossed an "unknown white liquid substance" at Offen, covering the back of her head. (An NYPD spokesperson said the substance may have been milk, but was not conclusively identified.)

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The duo then fled to an unknown location. This week, police released surveillance footage showing the two suspects walking near the scene of the attack; both appear to be wearing winter clothing and face masks.

The NYPD's Hate Crime Task Force is identifying the incident, and asked anyone with information to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). People can also submit tips online or on Twitter, @NYPDTips.

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