Police in Manhattan on Tuesday announced the arrest of an alleged serial sucker-puncher who targeted woman and randomly attacked them over the last several weeks.
According to police sources, 31-year-old Daquan Armstead allegedly slugged at least 7 women in the borough in March and April. He wound up in cuffs on April 23 after the NYPD Warrant Squad tracked him down.
Armstead, who hails from the Bronx, reportedly attacked women without cause or reason, law enforcement sources said.
In one reported case, cops say a 30-year-old woman was apparently walking home at around 8 p.m. on March 4 near Delancey and Essex Streets on the Lower East Side when she said she was suddenly punched in the back of the head from behind. The victim suffered a headache and dizziness, but she did not seek further medical treatment.
On March 25, Armstead allegedly struck again — this time punching a 36-year-old woman in the back near the corner of Christie and Rivington Streets at around 10:15 a.m., striking a 36-year-old woman in the back.
Armstead apparently continued his attacks until his last known assault on April 17 when, at 10:36 a.m., he allegedly punched a 27-year-old woman while she was walking at 14 Washington Square North and was punched in the side of her face.
Armstead was reportedly cuffed back in October of 2021 for a similar assault in which he punched a woman.
As Armstead was taken out of the 7th Precinct in cuffs on Tuesday by detectives to face arraignment, amNewYork Metro asked the alleged serial puncher why he targeted the women.
“Because they spat on me,” Armstead responded, despite the fact that many of his targets were approached from behind.
Armstead is charged with seven counts each of assault and attempted assault; those charges were elevated to hate crimes, which carry tougher prison sentences upon conviction.
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