NYPD: Video Shows Man Accused Of Setting Muslim Woman's Blouse On Fire In Midtown
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are trying to find a man accused of setting a Muslim woman's blouse on fire in Midtown.
It happened just before 9 p.m. Saturday in front of the Valentino store on Fifth Avenue.
Police said the 35-year-old woman was walking on the sidewalk when she felt something warm on her left arm and then noticed her blouse was on fire.
The woman, who was wearing traditional Muslim clothing, patted out the fire. That's when she saw a man standing next to her with a lighter in his hand, police said. The man then took off on East 54th Street.
The woman refused medical attention.
This attack comes after two women wearing hijabs were attacked in Brooklyn last week.
Executive Director of the American Islamic Relations New York chapter Afaf Nasher believe hate is what fueled these crimes.
"If it's not that, then what is it? Why is it that Muslims are all of a sudden targets one time after another after another within just a few days of each other?," Nasher told WCBS 880's Marla Diamond.
Police have released surveillance video of the suspect. Late Tuesday, police released an additional surveillance clip that clearly showed the suspect's face.
The NYPD's Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782), visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
