SUNNYSIDE — Local leaders rallied Tuesday to find the culprits who punched and robbed an 81-year-old blind man at a bank on Queens Boulevard last week.
City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer was joined by the victim, William Eichhorn, and his family, outside the Chase bank branch at 46-10 Queens Blvd.
They asked for the public's help identifying the suspects in the Oct. 26 robbery, when Eichhorn — who officials say is legally blind — was punched in the face by two men after taking money out of an ATM.
The suspects took off with his debit card and $100, according to police.
"It takes two cowardly individuals to hit a frail 81-year-old man," the victim's daughter, Mary Ann Gasparro, said in a statement.
The suspects are believed to be in their 20s to 30s, Van Bramer's office said. Photos released by the NYPD last week showed one wearing what looked like a leather jacket, dark-colored pants and brown boots, while the other appeared to be wearing a hoodie with a picture on the chest.
"Our community does not and will never tolerate this type of violent crime in our neighborhood," Van Bramer said in a statement.
"Mr. Eichhorn is a good man and just like any other person in our community deserves to live in peace," he continued. "No New Yorker should ever fear living in their own community."
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).
