Woman knocked unconscious near Times Square hotel: sources

On November 2, 2024By Littum

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story misstated where the attack took place. The story has been updated.

MANHATTAN, NY (PIX11) — A woman remains unconscious after she was attacked near a Manhattan hotel early Tuesday morning and the incident was caught on surveillance video, according to sources.

The woman, believed to be in her 30s, was attacked outside the Hotel Riu Plaza New York Times Square around 1:30 a.m., sources said. Surveillance video showed a man assaulting the woman until she lost consciousness, according to sources.

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Sources said hotel staff called police after officers spoke with the woman’s doctor at the hospital. The nature of her injuries was unclear, but she remained unconscious Wednesday.

There have been no arrests and investigators have not released a description of the suspect. It was unknown if the victim and the suspect knew each other.

A spokesperson for the hotel told PIX11 Thursday morning, “We regret the violent incident that occurred in front of our hotel. No guest or employee was involved. The RIU is actively cooperating with authorities in their investigation.”

In June, a 53-year-old cab attendant died after he was struck by a man outside the Riu Hotel on West 47th Street, according to police. Jaime Rosario, 54, was arrested and charged with assault in the case, police said.

Patino was assigning cabs to the cabs as guests exited the hotel when Rosario aggressively confronted Patino and punched him in the face, knocking him unconscious, police said. Patino fell and hit his head on the concrete. He was in a coma until he died on June 27, police said.

Midtown Manhattan’s 18th Precinct has seen a 50% increase in crimes this year compared to 2023, according to NYPD data.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visit crimestoppers.nypdonline.orgdownload the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app or text 274637 (CRIMES) and then enter TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She has been with PIX11 News for two years. See more of her work here.

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