A thief posing as a grieving client violently assaulted a Harlem funeral director, wielding a machete and delivering multiple punches to the head to steal his phone and wallet, police reported, via the New York Post.
Videos by Wide Open Country
The attack unfolded on Feb. 17 at Daniels Wilhelmina Funeral Home on West 131st Street. The suspect, still at large, scheduled an afternoon appointment with the 66-year-old director, claiming he needed to arrange a funeral, according to the NYPD. Surveillance video, released Wednesday, captured the man fist-bumping the director in a friendly exchange inside the office.
Moments later, the situation turned brutal. "He demanded money, punched the victim in the head multiple times, and displayed a machete," the NYPD stated. The suspect then snatched the director's phone and wallet before fleeing the scene. The funeral director declined medical attention, cops said.
Police described the suspect as wearing a light-colored coat over dark pants, a shirt, and a tie. Additional footage showed him casually walking and chatting with someone outside the funeral home. Investigators urged anyone with information to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
Thief Spotted in Video
The suspect's calculated approach stunned authorities. He booked the meeting to gain the director's trust, police said. Once inside the office, he dropped the act, launching a vicious attack. The punches came fast, followed by the machete threat, leaving the victim defenseless.
After grabbing the stolen items, the robber bolted. The funeral director, shaken but not seriously injured, opted against hospital care. The NYPD intensified its search, releasing clear video evidence to identify the culprit.
The incident rattled the quiet Harlem neighborhood. Daniels Wilhelmina Funeral Home, a local fixture, became the unlikely site of a bold crime. Police hope the suspect's distinctive attire and behavior in the footage will lead to tips. "He acted like he belonged there," one investigator noted, highlighting the suspect's deceptive tactics.
Authorities stressed the urgency of capturing the armed robber. His violent outburst and getaway left a community on edge. The NYPD continues to comb through leads, determined to bring the suspect to justice. Callers to the hotline can remain anonymous, police added, encouraging witnesses to step forward.
