Cortland police seek man who reportedly punched elderly woman

CORTLAND, N.Y. – City police are looking for a male suspect who reportedly punched a woman on Main Street Tuesday morning.

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At about 10:05 a.m., a woman was walking down Clayton Avenue with two friends when a man walked up to her, punched her once in the face and took off running, according to Lt. Richard Troyer with the Cortland Police Department. The 72-year-old woman sustained a head injury and received a minor injury above her eye, Troyer said.

The incident happened near the intersection of Main Street and Clayton Avenue. The suspect was last seen running west on Tompkins Street.

The man reportedly said "Hi" to the woman before assaulting her, though the alleged attack appeared to be a random act and the victim did not claim to know the man, according to police.

The suspect is described as a white male in his 20s, about 5'9" with red hair, a thin beard and thin glasses. He was wearing a dirty-looking black jacket with a black hoodie. It is likely that the suspect lives or frequents the South Main Street area, according to police.

Police are looking to interview any witnesses and are reaching out to nearby businesses that may have video surveillance footage of the attack.

Anyone with information that could aid in the investigation is asked to contact the Cortland Police Department at 607-753-3001.

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