Teens Attack 79-Year-Old Yale Professor in New Haven: Police

Police from New Haven and Yale University are looking for the group of five teenage boys who attacked a 79-year-old Yale University faculty member as he walked home from work on Friday, knocked him to the ground and stole his wallet and backpack.

Police responded to Bradley Street and Whitney Avenue in New Haven just after 6:30 p.m. on Friday after receiving a report that a person was down, but did not find the victim because he’d left.

When the 79-year-old man got home, his wife saw he was hurt and called for help, police said.

The victim was taken to the hospital and told detectives he was walking home from work on Hillhouse Avenue when five young men passed him on Whitney Avenue, according to New Haven Police.

When he turned onto Bradley Street, he saw the same group and said one hit him from behind. He was also punched, kicked, thrown to the ground and lost consciousness. When he came to, his backpack and wallet were gone, police said.

Yale University police said the faculty member suffered minor injuries and referred to the attackers as teenage boys.

A witness reported seeing the group, but said he didn’t realize they were beating up the victim until they’d fled and he could see the victim on the ground.

“These are certainly cowards and we’d love to put handcuffs on every single one of them," Officer David Hartman, of New Haven Police, said.

Officers found the victim’s wallet and are looking at video surveillance to try and identify the attackers.

One was on a bicycle and another was “obese,” the victim told police.

New Haven Police detectives ask anyone who saw the attack or has information to call them at 203-946-6304. They are also urging people to be cautious while out walking at night and said they see more property crimes around the holidays.  

Yale University police are asking anyone with information about the attack to call  (203) 432-4400.

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