July 27, 2022 By Michael Dorgan
Two black teenage girls were arrested Tuesday for attacking a woman who was riding an MTA bus in Woodhaven earlier this month, in what police are investigating as an anti-white assault.
The two teens, aged 15 and 16, were charged with assault and aggravated harassment as a hate crime for striking 57-year-old Jill LeCroix in the head with an unknown object on July 9. LeCroix, who is white, was riding a Rockaway-bound Q53 bus near Jamaica Ave. and Woodhaven Blvd. when she was allegedly attacked by the teens, police said.
Police say the teens also hurled anti-white epithets at the woman during the confrontation.
“I hate white people…the way they talk,” one of the suspects allegedly said to the victim, according to the New York Daily News.
**ARREST- Assault**
Thanks to a tip, Detectives followed up and arrested 2 juveniles regarding this anti-white assault that occurred on the Q53 bus on July 9th. There is 1 outstanding perpetrator.https://t.co/2N0BSbf5iG pic.twitter.com/a44snB0aVN— NYPD Hate Crimes (@NYPDHateCrimes) July 26, 2022
One other suspect, who was with the pair at the time of the alleged assault, is still being sought by police.
Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar took to Twitter yesterday to thank the NYPD for apprehending the suspects. In the days following the incident, Rajkumar hosted a rally in Woodhaven condemning the alleged racist attack —and hate crimes in general.
“I am gratified to report that the perpetrators of the violent assault in my district have been arrested and charged,” Rajkumar wrote.
“There will be no place for hate and crime in my district.”
I am gratified to report that the perpetrators of the violent assault in my district have been arrested and charged. There will be no place for hate and crime in my district. Thank you to @NYPD102Pct @NYPDPC for your quick response and action. https://t.co/MBB3jy8sQ1
— Jenifer Rajkumar (@JeniferRajkumar) July 26, 2022
Councilmember Robert Holden also thanked the police on Twitter.
“Racial violence has no place in NYC,” he wrote.
Good work by our @NYPD102Pct and @NYPDHateCrimes making these arrests and by @QueensDAKatz . Racial violence has no place in NYC. https://t.co/1drnC5Uf6T
— Robert Holden (@BobHoldenNYC) July 26, 2022