The NYPD took into questioning a 29-year-old homeless man from Florida on Wednesday for attacking seven-woman on a disturbing anti-Asian assault spree in Manhattan on Sunday.
The NYPD identified the suspect as Steven Zajonc who was arrested in the New York Public Library’s branch on 40th St. and Fifth Ave.
The police officers arrested the suspect since he resemble the clothes seen on the surveillance footage.
Sources said the suspect, previously lived in Sarasota, Fla.
After his arrest, the NYPD charged Zajonc with seven counts each of assault and attempted assault as a hate crime, as well as seven counts of aggravated harassment and harassment.
In the initial police investigation, the suspect started his attack on a 57-year-old woman on Madison Ave. and E. 30th St. about 6:30 p.m., when he punched her in the face. About 10 minutes later, he pounded a 25-year-old woman in the face and arm on Fifth Ave. and E. 30th St., cops said.
At 6:45 p.m., he bashed a third woman, 21, in the face on Park Ave. South and E. 23rd St., and did the same to a 25-year-old at Irving Place and E. 17th St. just 5 minutes later. Both women suffered cuts to their mouths.
He shifted tactics for two other attacks, elbowing a 19-year-old woman on Union Square East and E. 17th St. at 7:05, and a 25-year-old at E. Houston St. and Mott St. at 7:25 in the evening. The blows left both women with a split lip.
About an hour later, he showed up at Broadway and E. Eighth St., just after 8:30 p.m., and shoved a 20-year-old woman to the ground.
Based on the latest NYPD data, it was observed that anti-Asian crimes have risen in the Big Apple.
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