Bronx community gathers to denounce increased violence after off-duty officer attacked on the street
NEW YORK - The Castle Hill community rallied Thursday evening to denounce increased violence in the Bronx.
"If a police officer is not secured, how can we be secured?" one Castle Hill resident said.
Police say off-duty NYPD officer Muhammed Chowdhury went for a jog Tuesday morning when he was attacked by three men.
"He was robbed right here on this corner, across the street from his house. Couldn't even be safe in the street that he runs in the morning," said William Rivera, district manager for Community District 9.
The 48-year-old was hit in the head and knocked unconscious. Officials say he suffered a fractured skull and bleeding in the brain. He remains in critical but stable condition.
"Unfortunately, we're seeing too many times senseless attacks of violence on people in this community," Assemblywoman Nathalie Fernandez said.
Police say the thieves took off in a black Honda sedan with his cell phone, keys and wallet.
"Nobody is safe and secure for their life," Ibrahim Barobhuiya, with the Alliance of South Asian American Labor, told CBS2's Alecia Reid.
RELATED STORY: NYPD: Off-duty officer robbed by armed suspects in Inwood
A violent mugging pattern is being tracked citywide. Police released surveillance video of three men wanted for questioning in a separate incident -- the violent robbery of another off-duty officer.
Last Friday, the 26-year-old officer was held at gunpoint and robbed on Dyckman Street in Inwood. One of the two men with him was hit in the head with a gun before the suspects took off in a silver SUV.
There are at least 19 incidents with similar MO. Police are investigating if the same suspects are responsible for them all.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.
