3 Sought for Antigay Attack on NYC Mother and Daughter, Mistaken for Lesbians

Police released sketches, video and new information to The Advocate today in hopes the public can help them find three people wanted in the attack on a mother and daughter at a New York City restaurant this month. It's believed the women were targeted because they were apparently perceived to be a couple.

The NYPD says Tiffany Santiago, 27, and her mother, who is 46, were dining at BarKogi, a Korean restaurant on Second Avenue near East 51st Street on September 12 at around 1 A.M., when they were attacked by a man and two women. Santiago said they shouted obscenities and anti-gay slurs, threw Santiago to the ground, and dragged her across the floor by her legs, as The Advocate previously reported.

Santiago required six stitches, and her mother, who did not wish to be identified, suffered minor injuries to her knees and was treated at a hospital and then released, according to The NYPD.

In an interview with WCBS-TV, Santiago said she thinks she and her mother may have been mistaken for a lesbian couple by the alleged attackers because they appear to be close in age and she has short hair,

The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incident.

Under New York state law, enhanced penalties may be issued for hate crimes, which occur when victims are targeted due to their actual or perceived membership of one of a number of protected classes. Santiago and her mother did not disclose their sexual preferences to the media.

Most would consider New York City a haven for LGBT people and statistics show hate crimes against gays and lesbians have declined in recent years.

Based on information from the victims and surveillance video, the NYPD described the people who are wanted in connection with the attack as white, with the following distinguishing characteristics:

A man in his mid-40s who is 5 foot 8 inches tall, weighing 180 pounds, and balding with a beard. He was dressed in a long sleeve shirt and jeans at the time of the alleged attack.

A woman in her mid-30s who stands 5 foot 7 inches tall and weighs about 130 pounds, with dirty blonde hair. She was wearing a light colored shirt, black pants, and light colored high heel boots at the time of the alleged attack.

A second female suspect is of the same age and height as the first, weighs about 120 pounds and has long wavy black hair. She was wearing a white tank top, black pants, and black high heel boots at the time.

Anyone with information regarding the assault can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visit nypdcrimestoppers.com, or text 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577.