Two people who cops believe punched and kicked a man and woman while yelling anti-Asian slurs have been slapped with hate crime charges, police said Monday.
Elijah Fernandez and Natalie Plaza spotted the victims — a 44-year-old woman and 24-year-old man — as they walked down the sidewalk on Junction Blvd. near Roosevelt Ave. in Corona around 2:30 p.m. Thursday, police said.
Plaza, 18, allegedly screamed “Ugly Asian!” from a white Acura SUV and threw water at the woman before she, Fernandez and another man got out of the car and attacked, cops said.
The violent crew punched and kicked both victims in the head before climbing back into the SUV and taking off.
The victims were hospitalized and treated for head injuries.
Fernandez , 21, and Plaza were both charged with assault as a hate crime and assault. Their arraignments in Queens Criminal Court were pending Monday night.
Police have not yet caught up with the third suspect.
Read the full article here
