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Police Search For Suspect Who Slashed 5 With Razor In Melrose

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Residents in one Bronx neighborhood are on edge following a slashing spree that injured five people Saturday.

As CBS 2's Dave Carlin reported, dozens of police officers scoured the Melrose section of the Bronx block by block in search of the suspect.

Police said the man went on a slashing spree over the span of several hours Saturday morning in the vicinity of Willis Avenue and East 148th Street.

They said the suspect approached four men at separate times between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. and slashed them in the face.

About 40 minutes after the fourth attack, police said the suspect approached a fifth victim near Oak Terrace and Crimmins Avenue and slashed him in the face before fleeing.

The victims are all men between the ages of 23 and 50. At least two of the victims were taken to Lincoln Hospital, Carlin reported. All five who were injured are expected to recover.

Witness Eduardo Perez said he saw one man get slashed.

"The other guy go crazy," he said.

Police described the suspect as a black man in his 20s, with a mohawk hairstyle and wearing a green hooded sweatshirt, and camouflage pants.

Detectives said the incident began with the suspect in the street yelling that someone had stolen his phone. They said he then took out a razor blade and started attacking people.

People in the busy area scrambled to get away from him.

"People running, a whole crowd, four or five guys running together (To get away from the chaos?) yes, yea," said Artie Rivera.

Police released surveillance video of the crime. Many are hoping the video's release will soon lead to an arrest.

"I just hope that they find him," said Melrose resident Angelina Diaz. "It's kind of intimidating that you gotta be on the lookout for somebody trying to mess up your face."

Police said they are also investigating tips that the suspect may have been a patient at a nearby methadone clinic.

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