A quiet Sunday evening in Bath Beach turned rough when a 55-year-old man was pistol-whipped during an attempted robbery, authorities said. The incident unfolded just after 8:30 p.m. at the corner of Bay 38th Street and Cropsey Avenue, where an assailant demanded cash, struck the man with a handgun, then took off. Police said no property was taken, and the victim refused medical attention at the scene.
Officers told News 12 New York that the attacker walked up to the man, demanded money, then "hit him in the head with a firearm" during the encounter before fleeing. Investigators spent Sunday night canvassing the surrounding blocks and checking leads in the area.
The case is being handled by the NYPD's 62nd Precinct, which covers Bath Beach and Bensonhurst, according to the department's precinct page. Neighbors or passersby who might have seen something are urged to contact the precinct at (718) 236-2611.
Area trend police are watching
Local officers have been tracking a recent run of street robberies across southern Brooklyn that involve quick getaways on scooters and e-bikes, a tactic that can make it tougher for patrol units on foot to catch up. An earlier NYPD alert, detailed in a report on a suspected scooter robbery crew, linked similar incidents across several precincts that include the 62nd. Police say tips from residents, along with doorbell camera footage and cellphone video, often make the difference in identifying suspects in these kinds of cases.
No arrests have been announced so far in the Bath Beach attempted robbery, and detectives say the investigation remains active. Anyone with video or witness information is asked to contact the 62nd Precinct or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
