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Hasidic Man Victim Of Latest Possible 'Knockout' Assault In Williamsburg

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are looking into another possible "knockout game" attack against a Hasidic Jewish man in Williamsburg on Sunday night.

As WCBS 880's Jim Smith reported, police said a 26-year-old man was punched by a woman just before 11 p.m. at Bedford Avenue and Taylor Street.

New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind said a pattern has emerged but stopped short of saying the Jewish community is being targeted in these types of attacks.

Hasidic Man Victim Of Latest Possible 'Knockout' Assault In Williamsburg

"It seems clear that overwhelmingly here in New York the victims have been Jewish, there's no question about that," Hikind told Smith. "You have New Yorkers who are afraid to walk the streets, afraid to let their kids walk the in streets because you don't know who the next victim is going to be."

The victim was not seriously injured in this case, but Hikind said there is a growing fear.

"What kind of human being would just walk over to somebody and punch them, and that excites them," said Hikind. "I walk the streets with my wife. I find myself looking in front of me, in back of me. You know, who's the person."

He said the attacks are so random that he's not sure how to stop them. But Hikind added something needs to be done.

Police are investigating to determine if this latest incident is linked to the recent spate of "knockout" attempts.

The wave of attacks, where the perpetrator attempts to knock out an unsuspecting stranger with a single blow, began in Crown Heights in October. Police had previously beefed up patrols in some of the communities that have seen several incidents.

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