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Woman Busted for Series of Anti-Asian Hate Crime Attacks in Queens

(Photo: Bill Oxford via Unsplash)

July 23, 2021 By Michael Dorgan

A hate-filled woman was busted by police Thursday for allegedly going on an anti-Asian assault spree in Queens that left four people injured – including a 75-year-old woman she clobbered with a hammer.

Maricia Bell, a 25-year-old woman from Utopia, was arrested on hate crimes charges for carrying out the racist attacks over the past two months, police said.

The first incident took place on May 23 at around 9 p.m. when Bell punched a 24-year-old Asian man inside a parking lot, located at the rear of 71-43 Kissena Blvd., and ran off with his glasses.

Bell struck next on June 16 at around 6:15 p.m. when she sucker-punched a 34-year-old Asian woman in the back of the head inside a bodega, located at 70-63 Parsons Blvd., police said.

The third incident took place on July 11 at around 8 p.m. on 72nd Avenue and Parsons Boulevard when Bell allegedly slugged a 63-year-old Asian woman in the left cheek.

Bell’s most recent anti-Asian attack occurred on July 21 at 71st Avenue and Parsons Boulevard – near the 107th precinct police station – when she targeted a 75-year-old Asian woman who was collecting bottles on the street. Police say Bell approached the senior from behind and struck her in the back of the head with a hammer. The victim suffered a laceration to her head.

Bell faces a slew of charges including assault, aggravated harassment, harassment and robbery—all as hate crimes. She was also charged with one count of criminal possession of a weapon.

It is not the first time Bell has been arrested on hate crime charges. Bell was cuffed earlier this year for punching a 43-year-old Asian woman in the head on March 29 inside the Forest Hills–71st Avenue station while the victim was waiting for a train.

Bell’s residence is listed as 70-38 Parsons Blvd. in Utopia, police said.