(Credit: CCTV NYPD Crime Stoppers)

Elham Asaad Buaras

The New York City Police Department is searching for a suspect in connection with two anti-Muslim attacks in the city within an hour on June 20.

Police are looking for a man they say attacked two women in two areas of Queens in an hour-span on Father’s Day in what authorities are investigating as an anti-Muslim crime spree.

Both women were walking with men at the time they were attacked. In both cases, the women appeared to be the targets of the beatings.

The first attack was near Liberty Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard around 9:15 pm. Police say the suspect followed a 31-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman while yelling, “Muhammad is a liar!” then punched the man in the back and grabbed and tugged on the woman’s hijab. He also punched her in the arm.

The victims suffered some pain and redness, according to police.
In the second attack, which occurred an hour later near Inwood and Liberty avenues, the New York City Police Department says the same suspect followed a 64-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman, again while making anti-Muslim statements.

Video released by the police shows an unidentified black man with a beard. He was last seen wearing a dark-blue jacket, a matching do-rag and red sneakers.He then attacked the woman, punching her multiple times in the face and head before running away.

She suffered a fractured nose and small lacerations to her head and face. She was taken to the hospital for treatment. The man was not hurt.