A 61-year-old man was punched, kicked and robbed in broad view of Coney Island's Surf Avenue, left to fall to the ground as attackers rifled through his pockets before running off with his wallet. Police are now searching for five people in connection with the attack, which happened on October 14.
According to News12 Brooklyn, police say five individuals approached the man on Surf Avenue and assaulted him by punching and kicking him. The group then searched the victim's pockets after he fell to the ground, took his wallet and fled, police say. The man was taken to the hospital following the attack, per the same report.
No further details on the five individuals sought, including their identities or specific roles in the attack, have been released. The exact time of day the assault occurred has also not been disclosed, and police have not released information on the man's injuries or medical condition beyond confirming he was hospitalized.
A Pattern of Group Robberies in the Neighborhood
This is not the first time this year that Coney Island has seen a coordinated group targeting victims for robbery. Back in late June, the NYPD asked for the public's help identifying four individuals wanted in connection with a robbery that took place on June 23, according to News 12 Brooklyn. And in late April, two people were violently robbed in Coney Island, with EMS transporting the victims to NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn, as reported by News 12 Brooklyn.
The neighborhood's history with robbery cases has included far graver outcomes. In January 2025, police searched for two men wanted in connection with a Coney Island robbery that left a 53-year-old man dead, as noted by News 12 Brooklyn. There is no indication that the October 14 assault is connected to any of these earlier incidents.
What Remains Unknown
Beyond the broad strokes of the attack, much about the October 14 incident remains unclear. Police have not released surveillance images, arrest information or any indication that charges have been filed in the case. No contact information for tips has been made public as of this report.
