Video shows the suspect wearing a red tracksuit and what appears to be a neck pillow.
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Police say he demanded sex from a 73-year-old woman around 12:45 a.m. Sunday on Greenwich Street.
When she refused, he attacked, punching her several times in the face, knocking out her teeth and leaving her with a broken eye socket.
He then stole her bag before fleeing the scene.
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She was taken to an area hospital in serious but stable condition.
The person wanted for questioning is described as a black man, 25-35 years old, 6 feet tall with a slim build. He was last seen wearing a red tracksuit and gray/white Nike sneakers.
Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).