A distraught mom turned her son into police Thursday after she recognized him from a news report as a suspect in the random, broad daylight slashing of a Danish tourist, sources said.
Joshua Zinberg, 25 – accused of slashing the 55-year-old out-of-towner on West 86th Street off Columbus Avenue late Wednesday morning – was nabbed around 1 a.m. when eagle-eyed patrol cops spotted his car, according to police.
A dazed-looking Zinberg spat at reporters and ranted nonsensically on Thursday afternoon as he was escorted by police on his way to court, with his hands cuffed behind his back.
“That’s all for you!” he shouted, wide-eyed. “Y’all already know that you don’t know s–t. You love going off that ignorance. Teach you to f–k with the Jewish Joshua!”
Zinberg, who lives just around the corner from the scene, was charged with second-degree attempted murder, first and second-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, authorities said.
The Upper West Side stabber was busted soon after his mom came forward to detectives, sources said. NYPostThe bust came after Zinberg’s mother showed up at the local police precinct, telling detectives she recognized her son from surveillance footage of the shocking attack, the sources said.
The unhinged attacker was caught on camera sprinting after the unsuspecting victim around 10:40 a.m. before cops say he knifed the man across the left ear and cheek.
Investigators believe Zinberg pulled the weapon out of the trunk of his car before ambushing the passerby, sources said.
He and the victim didn’t appear to have exchanged words before the random attack, according to the sources.
Zinberg ran off and then fled in an orange 2024 Subaru Crosstrek, according to authorities and the video.
Meanwhile, the victim – who was listed in stable condition – was taken to Mount Sinai Morningside for treatment.
The attack appeared random, and the menace did not exchange words with his victim, sources said. Michael Nagle
Cops spotted the suspect’s vehicle early Thursday and took him into custody, sources said. Michael NagleZinberg has no prior arrests, police said.
However, his mother made a complaint against him for allegedly sending her a threatening text, sources said.
Zinberg had shared a joint checking account with his mom — and flew into a rage when she moved the funds into her own account, according to the sources.
“You’ll have one chance to transfer the money back to me. If you don’t, watch,” he allegedly wrote.
She didn’t end up pursuing charges.
Back in May 2020, he was described as an “emotionally disturbed person” when he called the police – and then answered the door with a knife in his hand, according to the sources.
He was described as paranoid and had smoked weed a few hours earlier, the sources said.
He had been taken to Mount Sinai West hospital for treatment.
