By Patrick Donachie
A 69-year-old woman was assaulted outside a Jamaica deli Saturday morning, and police were asking for the public’s help in finding the suspect in the attack.
Police said that at 8:10 a.m. in front of the King Deli and Grocery at 107-60 Sutphin Blvd., 28-year-old Richard Springer, also known as “Kwasi,” exited the store, approached the woman and allegedly punched her in the head. She fell to the ground after the attack and Springer fled the scene, according to the NYPD. The New York Post reported the woman was going to meet with fellow women in a church group when she was attacked.
EMS and NYPD officers responded to the scene of the attack, and the EMS workers transported the woman to Jamaica Hospital where she was in stable condition, according to the NYPD. The Post reported that the woman had suffered a brain aneurysm and underwent surgery at the hospital, and also had a surveillance video of the incident, showing the assailant fighting with someone inside the deli before exiting and striking the woman in the head. She falls backward and appears to hit her head on the sidewalk in the video. The assailant continues around the corner, disappearing out of the surveillance footage frame.
Springer’s last known address was 147-21 109th Ave., a few short blocks from the site of the attack, according to the NYPD. Police released a photo of Springer to the public and described him as being 5-foot-11 and weighing 175 pounds. Springer has brown eyes, black hair in corn rows and a tattoo of the name “Emily” on his right arm.
Police said Springer was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt, blue jeans and black boots, and encouraged anyone with information about the case to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 577-TIPS or submit tips online at www.nypdc
The Post reported Springer was presently on parole after a February conviction for robbery, perjury and criminal possession of stolen property.
Reach reporter Patrick Donachie by e-mail at pdona
