'Angry And Upset:' Victim Of Violent Bronx Mugging Speaks After Attack
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police have released new video of a violent attack on a man returning to his Bronx home in the Soundview section last week.
Police say two men punched, kicked and cut Eddie Diaz, 35, as he was returning to his residence on Croes Avenue and Watson Avenue at around 4:50 a.m. on Feb. 24.
The men took the victim's wallet, which had $10 in cash inside, before fleeing on bicycles, police said.
Diaz had come off a train, heading home from a night out in Manhattan when he saw the men on their bikes, CBS2's Dave Carlin reported.
"I was trying to walk faster and then they cut me off," Diaz said.
When a neighbor came out of his house, the attackers left.
"My neighbor came out and he is the one save me from getting more hit for my head," Diaz said.
Diaz was taken to Jacobi Hospital with lacerations to the face, police said.
"I got four staples and like 15 stitches," Diaz said.
"I'm angry and upset, you know?" he added later.
Diaz says the hardest part is not his pain -- it's seeing the fear and concern it's causing his mother, Gladys Velasquez.
"Thank god he's alive," Velasquez said.
Diaz said he's lucky, convinced the attack was only getting started when a neighbor came out of a nearby house.
"One of them having to for digging through my pockets and my neighbor came out, and he is the one save me from getting more hit for my head," he said.
Diaz said he did not get a very good look at his attackers, but said he can't help but take a very close look at anyone riding a bicycle in his neighborhood.
Police describe the suspects as men between 35-40 years old, who were both last seen wearing dark clothing.
The NYPD is asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers by calling (800) 577-TIPS, logging on to their website at www.NYPDcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and entering TIP577. Tips can remain anonymous.
