NEW YORK (AP) - Authorities say a New York City man is charged with robbery as a hate crime after he allegedly targeted six women of Chinese descent.
Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson announced a 36-count indictment against Manhattan resident Manuel Israel on Tuesday.
A man robbed five women, and tried to rob a sixth, in Borough Park between March 21 and April 6. Three of the victims were hurt.
Investigators say the suspect perceived the women to be vulnerable to attack because of their ethnicity.
A witness to the attempted robbery called 911 after seeing a man with his arm around the victim’s neck.
Police arrested Israel about six blocks from the scene.
His attorney did not immediately return a call for comment.
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