Mugger apologizes to victim on Facebook 35 years later
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It was a heartfelt, if belated, apology.
A man who mugged a stranger on the steps of the American Museum of Natural History 35 years ago finally got to say sorry after recognizing his victim on a random Facebook post.
Michael Goodman, 53, says he was a teenager when he held up Claude Soffel, 52, for his bus pass in the late 1970s — an incident that haunted him throughout his life.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Decades later, he spotted Soffel’s name in a Facebook post about shuttered shop H&H Bagels. He knew writing in the comments section was his chance to finally seek forgiveness.
"You may not remember this … but a long, long time ago I walked up the steps of [the museum] one afternoon, trying to look like a tough guy," Goodman posted on Nov. 19.
"I have never forgotten the incident or your name … then here I am … reading about my favorite bagel store in the world closing down, and [whose] name do I see but yours," Goodman wrote in the Facebook group "NYC West 89th Street Soldiers & Sailors Monument Alumni – 1970’s."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Finally I can say — I’M VERY SORRY that you had to go through that crap that day long ago."
Soffel, now a life coach in Sag Harbor, remembered the teenage mugger and accepted his apology.
"Clearly you’re a 'bigger man' today," Soffel responded in the comments section. "Memory is a funny thing. I recognize your name now as well."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Soffel runs a business called the Braveheart Institute, where he coaches men on developing their fathering skills. He could not be reached for comment.