Man Posing as Mourner Attacks Harlem Funeral Director with Machete

Police are searching for the suspect.

A man posing as a grieving customer violently attacked a funeral director in Harlem, assaulting him with a machete and stealing his phone and wallet, authorities reported.

The suspect, who remains at large, was captured on surveillance video on February 17 at Daniels Wilhelmina Funeral Home. Initially, he appeared friendly, even fist-bumping the 66-year-old funeral director while pretending to arrange a funeral. Moments later, he suddenly turned violent, repeatedly punching the victim in the head and brandishing a machete while demanding money.

A man pretending to be in mourning violently robbed a Harlem funeral home director last month.

The assailant then fled with the director’s phone and wallet. The victim declined medical treatment, according to police.

Security footage also captured the suspect walking down the street after the attack, dressed in a light-colored coat over dark pants, a shirt, and a tie. Authorities are continuing their search for the suspect.