(CNN)A New York man arrested this week after allegedly assaulting several Asian women within two hours has been charged with hate crimes, according to Manhattan prosecutors.
Steven Zajonc, 28, was charged Friday with three counts of third-degree assault hate crimes, four attempted third-degree assault hate crimes and four counts of second-degree aggravated molestation, according to the Criminal Complaint.
CNN has reached out to Zajonc’s attorney, Michael Feinman, for comment.
New York has reported a rise in hate crimes, largely due to an increase in attacks on Asian Americans. In cities across the US, Asian Americans have often been brutally attacked and falsely blamed for the pandemic.
From March 19, 2020 to December 31, 2021, a total of 10,905 incidents of hate against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders nationwide were reported to Stop AAPI Hate, a center that tracks reports of racism and discrimination against Asian Americans.
The attacks in this case allegedly took place between about 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Sunday from midtown Manhattan to the Nolita neighborhood, New York City Police Department previously said.
According to Assistant District Attorney Neil Greenwell, they were violent and without provocation.
Although Zajonc has only been charged in connection with four female victims, evidence from at least three other incidents is being examined, Greenwell said.
The first victim was a 57-year-old Asian woman who was slapped in the face by a man and later sought medical treatment at a hospital for a cut on her lip and swelling on her face, police said earlier this week.
Ten minutes later, police received another call about a 25-year-old Asian woman being punched in the face and arm by a man. Minutes later, a man punched a 21-year-old Asian woman in the face, police said.
Another 25-year-old Asian woman was punched in the face just before 7pm, police said. About 15 minutes later, a 19-year-old Asian woman was elbowed in the face by a man, according to authorities.
A third 25-year-old Asian woman and a 20-year-old Asian woman were also attacked within those two hours, police said.
Zajonc’s bail was set at $25,000, with insurance company bail and surety bond at $50,000 each. Greenwell, the assistant prosecutor, said Zajonc posed a flight risk because he had ties to Florida, Kansas and Hawaii and had criminal contacts in Hawaii and Kansas.
According to prosecutors, his next court date is next Wednesday.
CNN’s Kiely Westhoff contributed to this report.
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