A man described as having a caveman-like appearance has reportedly been harassing women and girls in Queens for about three months, according to several victims who spoke with the Post.
Adding to the frustration is that the man, identified by police as Malik Mia, has been arrested twice in recent weeks. Both times, he was released because the nature of the crimes didn’t qualify for bail, officers mentioned.
Mia, with long hair and a beard, has been seen in the area since May. He has 41 arrests on his record since 2010, including charges such as assault, emotional abuse, and robbery, police sources indicated.
One victim, who wished to remain anonymous and identified herself only as Jessica, reported an incident where Mia allegedly slapped her backside at the 46th Street Bliss Street Metro station in Sunnyside on May 21. “He was up the stairs at Little Steerwell when he reached out and attacked me,” she recounted. “I yelled, ‘A-Hole!’ and ran down the stairs— I feared he would pull me down with him.”
Mia, whose last known address is in the Bronx, was charged with emotional abuse but was released on supervised bail the very next day, according to court records. A concerned mother shared her thoughts: “People like him are bound to do something much worse.”
On June 22, Jenn Shulte, 51, encountered Mia on the N subway while with her 11-year-old daughter. “He had a wild look in his eyes and said, ‘I know you like Black D-K. I know you’ve never experienced anything better.’” She chose not to report it, doubtfully thinking it would help.
A warning circulated in local Facebook groups on June 30 when another woman shared her unsettling experience with Mia. “He chased me into Dittmars’ store while I was with my 1-year-old baby and made some truly hateful comments,” she wrote. Even though she noted, “I didn’t call the police, but I should have.”
On July 9, Mia was reported inside a Burlington Court store, apparently “stroking after customers,” police said. Witness Paulette Spigel recounted, “He approached me and asked, ‘Buy me some clothes.’ I ran, but he then chased after another woman and her daughter.” Following the incident, police were called, and Mia was again charged with trespassing and harassment, but released shortly after.
Witnesses noted Mia was seen harassing another woman at an Astoria metro stop on July 14. Eliana Laurentis described her encounter on July 24, stating, “I knew I was about to be attacked. I screamed and ran.” Although she reported it to the NYPD, Mia was not arrested as he hadn’t physically touched her.
Michael Alcazar, a retired detective, criticized the bail reform laws, suggesting that they facilitate the release of offenders like Mia back into the community. “What he’s doing is heinous and puts everyone, especially women and their children, in jeopardy,” he said. “These women need to report every incident to help get him arrested again.”
Local residents express growing concerns about the potential for serious harm. “We’re worried he’ll eventually hurt someone badly,” noted Kimberly Vasalo.
Attempts to reach Mia’s public defense counsel went unanswered.
