Crazed attacker who randomly pummeled NYC rabbi after slugging another stranger cut loose by judge

The crazed attacker who allegedly pummeled a rabbi in a random attack this week — minutes after he slugged another stranger pumping gas — was cut loose by a judge in both cases, prosecutors said Friday. Eric Avrutov, 31, allegedly pummeled the 66-year-old Jewish leader and placed him in a headlock on Dahill Road near Cortelyou Road in Kensington around 9:30 p.m.Wednesday — breaking the victim’s shoulder and leaving him petrified, according to a criminal complaint and a member of his congregation. But Avrutov was granted supervised release by Judge Edward Daniels — over prosecutors’ request that he be held on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond, the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office said.The attack was considered an unprovoked assault on a stranger — not motivated by hate, according to cops — but it was enough to rattle the rabbi before his community began the celebration of Sukkot.“More than the physical injuries, he is struggling with the emotional trauma of the incident,” Avrumi Herbst, a member of the rabbi’s synagogue and a close personal confidant, said in an email.

“This morning, he was further distressed when the DA’s office notified him that the suspect was released again.”“I feel it is important to point out that the Rabbi is very resilient and accepts everything that has befallen him as the will of G-d, and he plans to officiate normally during the upcoming holiday, albeit with the physical limitations imposed on him by his shoulder injury,” Herbst added. “Nevertheless he is concerned for his personal safety and the safety of his neighbors and the casual release of the perpetrator just added to that.”Just minutes before the attack on the rabbi, Avrutov allegedly slugged another man, 60, on the side of the face as he pumped gas at the Shell station around the corner on Cortelyou Road, police said.In that case, prosecutors asked for the same bail amount, but Judge Daniels again cut Avrutov loose on supervision. The ...