Assault on Teacher Spurs Investigation, Warnings

UPDATE: THE SUSPECT HAS BEEN CAPTURED!

An attack, robbery and carjacking of a 62-year-old teacher at Good Shepherd School has caused community alarm, and the police are investigating whether the incident is part of a larger pattern of assaults and thefts.

A female teacher was accosted at 6:40 in the morning on Tuesday as she arrived at the school, on Brown Street and Avenue S. The attacker punched her in the face and stole her purse, then stole her 2000 Toyota Corolla while she was filing a report at the 61st precinct. The teacher was hospitalized for her injuries, but released the same day.

Officials at the school are working with police and have been advised not to comment on the incident. Police sources have also not returned calls or issued a statement.

The car was found this afternoon, three blocks away on Ave. V and Brown. Police dusted it for fingerprints.

A description of the suspect is not yet publicly available, nor is there any information about him, except that he is male. However, the incident was caught by the school’s security camera, and NYPD’s Technical Assistance Research Unit (TARU) arrived early this afternoon to analyze the tape and capture a photo to give to press, which is expected to be released later today or early tomorrow. Detectives were also on the scene questioning neighbors.

Video of the incident has now been released.

Police are investigating whether this is part of a number of similar incidents involving purse snatching and other small thefts that have been plaguing the neighborhood. A police source said neighbors should stay alert and call police immediately if they see anyone suspicious in their neighborhood. If you feel you are being followed, the source said, walk faster and try to get indoors. Do not be afraid to ring the doorbell’s of your neighbors.