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The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
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Man Who Attacked 3 Women During Violent Harlem Spree Sent to Prison

By Dartunorro Clark | January 5, 2017 5:24pm
 A man who assaulted three women during a vicious one-night crime spree in Harlem was sentenced Thursday.
A man who assaulted three women during a vicious one-night crime spree in Harlem was sentenced Thursday.
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CENTRAL HARLEM — A man who assaulted three women during a vicious one-night crime spree in Harlem has been sentenced to serve 52 years-to-life in prison.

Edward Major, who officials called "a litany of evil" and a “career criminal,” randomly attacked his victims in April 2015 and robbed one in random attacks that spanned a four-block radius last year.

Major, 55, randomly punched a woman on the street at 121 W. 111th St., knocked her to the ground and screamed in her face before the victim was able to flee and call 911, officials said.

About an hour later, police received a call about an assault of a 59-year-old woman on West 111th Street. Major repeatedly punched the victim in the face in the lobby of her building.

Surveillance video showed Major punching the victim and kicking her as she lay helpless on the ground.

He then stole her pocketbook, which held her money, credit cards and medication, then walked away, a jury heard.

Ten minutes later, Major jumped out from behind a parked car on West 112th Street and attacked a 45-year-old woman, repeatedly punching and kicking her and knocking her to the ground. The victim suffered a broken nose and sprained elbow, prosecutors said.

Police then arrested Major.

Prior to these attacks, Major had been arrested for drug crimes, robbery, burglary and assault, officials said.

He was convicted on multiple counts of assault, robbery and burglary.

“Edward Major has violent felony convictions dating back to the 1980s and our city is safer with him off of the streets,” said Cyrus Vance, Manhattan's district attorney, on Thursday.

“I thank the survivors in this case for summoning the courage to testify and my office’s prosecutors for ensuring this defendant can’t harm innocent New Yorkers again.”