A crazed man went on a wild assault spree in Queens, attacking five strangers in a matter of minutes before he was arrested, police said Monday.
The mayhem began when the attacker, behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, threw a hard object into the windshield of another vehicle near Forest Parkway and Park Lane on the edge of Forest Park in Woodhaven about 4:05 p.m. Sunday, cops said.
The 32-year-old woman driving the other vehicle was not badly hurt.
Just 14 minutes later, police said, just a few blocks away near 85th Road and 87th St., the attacker approached on foot a 33-year-old man, punched him in the face and tried to rip a chain from his neck, cops said.
A 66-year-old Good Samaritan intervened and succeeded in preventing the robbery but the attacker punched him a number of times in the face.
The attacker then got back in his van and at 4:30 p.m. got out of the van nearby to confront a 75-year-old man, punching him numerous times in the head before again driving off against traffic and crashing into a vehicle.
The attacker got out of the van and punched the 74-year-old driver in the face, police said.
Cops then caught up with the 32-year-old suspect and arrested him. Charges were pending Monday morning.
Four of the victims were treated for minor injuries at Jamaica Hospital. The would-be robbery victim did not need medical attention after being punched.