Springfield police are looking for the public's assistance in identifying a man seen in surveillance footage attacking a woman and her child on Friday night outside the Ben Tahn Market, 455 Belmont Ave. Watch video
A screen capture from surveillance footage shows an unidentified man approaching a woman and her child, seconds before attacking them outside a Belmont Avenue store. Police are seeking public assistance in identifying the man.
SPRINGFIELD - Springfield police are looking for the public's assistance in identifying a man seen in surveillance footage attacking a woman and her child on Friday night outside the Ben Tahn Market, 455 Belmont Ave.
The attacker was described as wearing a dark-colored jacket over a white T-shirt. He was also wearing white sneakers, a dark baseball cap and jeans with white embroidering on the rear pockets, said Sgt. John Delaney, aide to Police Commissioner William Fitchet.
The woman told police she was getting her daughter out of her car in front of the market at about 8:30 p.m. when a man approached them. While parking the car, she had seen the same man walk past them slowly and look at them, Delaney said.
The man demanded she hand over her purse, but the woman turned and ran, leaving her 4-year-old daughter with their attacker.
Delaney said the woman told police she was afraid for their safety but reasoned if she fled down Belmont Avenue with her purse, the attacker would follow her and leave her daughter alone.
The video shows the attacker briefly grabbing the little girl by the arm
Delaney said the mother circled back toward the store and the robber caught up to her at the front door as she tried to get help.
During a brief struggle during with the woman was pinned against the doorway by the door, the robber apparently stabbed her in the neck, Delaney said. The woman suffered a small puncture wound, which Delaney described as the result of being nicked with a knife.
The robber was eventually chased off by two teens who witnessed the attack.
Springfield police are investigating the attack.
People with information are asked to call the Springfield Police Detective Bureau at (413) 787-6355. Those who wish to remain anonymous may text a tip via a cell phone by addressing a text message to “CRIMES,” or "274637," and then beginning the body of the message with the word "SOLVE."
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