A Manhattan man accused of slashing a woman in Times Square was apparently arrested for a violent robbery just three days before the attack, but had been released without bail.
Late last month, 30-year-old Anthony Evans allegedly slashed at an Asian woman with a box cutter in an unprovoked attack in Times Square. On Wednesday, prosecutors said the attack occurred after Evans was allowed to walk free following a violent robbery just days earlier, the New York Post reported.
On July 22, Evans allegedly stole from the SkyFoods market. A manager noticed the theft and followed Evans out of the store to confront him. Evans punched the manager in the face, according to a criminal complaint reviewed by the Post. Then, on July 26, Evans allegedly stole an 18-pack of Miller Light from a Walgreens, but a female employee was able to retrieve the beer from him outside.
Evans was arrested and charged with both crimes. As the Post noted, he faces charges of second-degree robbery and petty larceny. During his arraignment on July 27, prosecutors asked for his bail to be set at $50,000, but Judge Denise Johnson released him without setting a monetary bail.
While free, Evans allegedly rushed up to a random Asian woman in Times Square and slashed her with a box-cutter in an attack that was caught on video. The woman, a 59-year-old seamstress, required 19 stitches in her hand due to the attack.
Prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday asked that Evans’ bail be set at $200,000, citing his earlier release for a violent felony. The slashing attack in Times Square is being investigated as a possible hate crime, the Post reported.
The judge ordered Evans to be held pending a mental evaluation.
The woman who was attacked has been “traumatized,” her daughter told the Post earlier this month. Neither the woman nor her daughter have been named.
“It was a very violent event, a very violent thing to do,” the victim’s 23-year-old daughter told the outlet. “I wouldn’t wish this upon anybody — even my worst enemies.”
The daughter also told the outlet she wanted to know why her mother was attacked.
“I hope it wasn’t for malicious reasons,” she said.
“I just want to make sure that it’s clear that we don’t know what is the motivation behind the attack,” she added. “If it’s mental health-related, I hope [the suspect is] found and receive[s] the necessary treatment. If the perpetrator had malicious reasons, I hope they’re found and prosecuted.”