MANHATTAN — Three good Samaritans were slashed when they tried stop a pair of men who stole windshield-wiper fluid from a Washington Heights gas station, NYPD officials said.
The two suspects, who can be seen in surveillance photos released Monday, were at the BP station at 242 Dyckman St. about 4:30 a.m. on Jan. 15, when one put the fluid under his sweater and left without paying, police said.
Outside, a 21-year-old employee tried to stop the men, but they repeatedly punched him in the face before five men across the street raced over to intervene and scared them off, police said.
The good Samaritans chased after the suspects, catching up to them at 208 Dyckman St., where the thieves turned on them with a blade and slashed three of them, police said.
A 32-year-old man suffered a cut on the chin, a 21-year-old man suffered cuts on his hands and forehead, and a 27-year-old man suffered cuts on his forehead, police said.
They were treated at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where they were listed in stable condition, police said.
The suspects, described as in their 20s, fled and hadn't been arrested as of Tuesday morning, police said.
One was wearing a green hoodie, blue jeans and yellow shoes, police said.
The second was wearing a gray jacket with patches, black pants and a dark baseball cap with black shoes, police said.
It wasn't immediately clear why it took so long for police to relay information about the incident.
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).
