An Elmhurst man was arrested on hate crime charges Tuesday for headbutting a 22-year-old Asian American man in Astoria nearly two months ago (Photos: NYPD and Google Maps)
Sept. 7, 2022 By Michael Dorgan
An Elmhurst man was arrested on hate crime charges Tuesday for headbutting a 22-year-old Asian American man in Astoria nearly two months ago.
Rudy Coslopez, 41, was charged with assault and aggravated harassment as hate crimes for an attack that took place outside 34-27 Steinway St. on July 12, according to police.
Coslopez, police say, approached the victim at around 9 p.m. and allegedly hurled anti-Asian statements at him.
“You Asians are the reason I can’t get a job,” Coslopez said to the victim, according to police. “You Chinese are scum.”
Coslopez then headbutted the victim without provocation, police said.
The alleged racist then fled the location, while the stunned 22-year-old suffered a chipped tooth. The victim did not require medical attention at the scene.
Coslopez, who is from 74th Street, was also charged with a separate charge of assault.
Police released photos of Coslopez days after the July 12 incident and appealed for help in identifying him. Cops apprehended him yesterday.
Police released photos of the suspect days after the July 12 incident and appealed for the public’s help in identifying him (Photos: NYPD)
