A man was arrested in New York over an alleged anti-gay attack (Getty Images, stock | Instagram/nypdtips)

A 37-year-old man has been arrested in connection with an alleged anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime targeting a 12-year-old boy near a playground in Manhattan earlier this year.

According to the NYPD, Kevin Maxwell allegedly approached the boy outside a public restroom at the Baruch Playground on the Lower East Side on 29 April, shouted anti-gay slurs at him, and struck him with a belt, as per Pix 11.

The child sustained minor injuries, while the suspect fled the scene and remained at large for several months.

Maxwell was arrested just before 1 AM on Sunday (5 July) and has been charged with multiple offences, including two counts of hate crime assault, assault, acting in a manner injurious to a child, hate crime menacing, and menacing, the New York Post reported.

Arrest records indicate Maxwell is being held on a $30,001.00 bond.

Police released a sketch of the suspect last month as part of their investigation.

The case is being prosecuted as an alleged hate crime due to the reported anti-LGBTQ+ language used during the attack. If convicted, hate crime enhancements can carry more severe penalties under New York law.

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.