Metro

Killer South Slope mugger stole the wedding ring off victim’s finger, cops say

SAD CLOSING: A family member yesterday rolls down the shutter of the South Slope business owned by Jesus Morales, slain by a heartless thug who snatched a wedding ring (above) off the victim’s finger.

SAD CLOSING: A family member yesterday rolls down the shutter of the South Slope business owned by Jesus Morales, slain by a heartless thug who snatched a wedding ring (above) off the victim’s finger.

SAD CLOSING: A family member (above) yesterday rolls down the shutter of the South Slope business owned by Jesus Morales, slain by a heartless thug who snatched a wedding ring off the victim’s finger.

SAD CLOSING: A family member (above) yesterday rolls down the shutter of the South Slope business owned by Jesus Morales, slain by a heartless thug who snatched a wedding ring off the victim’s finger.

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The vicious robber who killed an elderly travel agent in Brooklyn stole the wedding ring from the victim’s hand as he lay dying, police sources said.

Dressed all in black and wearing a ski mask, the thug threw Jesus Morales, 67, to the ground at about 7:20 p.m. Wednesday on 18th Street in South Slope and fled with the victim’s ring, watch and wallet.

“It was a robbery gone bad,” said a law-enforcement source.

Morales was walking home from his business, Ramirez Travel, on Fifth Avenue when he was attacked, according to his daughter.

His head hit the sidewalk with such force that a witness heard the thump and turned around.

The assailant, who had lifted his mask, quickly put it back on and yelled at the woman to look away, said Police Commissioner Ray Kelly.

The gunman went through the victim’s pockets, stealing a wallet and watch — and a gold ring from Morales’ finger.

The assailant fled toward Sixth Avenue, sources said.

Cops rushed to the scene and administered first aid until EMS arrived, sources said.

Morales was lying motionless on his back, bleeding from the back of his head on the sidewalk.

Cops initially thought he might survive, police sources said, but he was pronounced dead at Lutheran Medical Center shortly before 9:30 p.m.

Kelly said the victim had been targeted randomly, and that cops are searching for neighborhood surveillance video that might have captured images of the killer.

A police source said Morales typically didn’t carry much cash.

Cops are offering a $12,000 reward for information that leads to the killer’s capture.

Morales, who lived with his wife in Merrick, LI, had a business in South Slope for decades.

“He’s been on this street for 27 years. It’s very overwhelming,” said daughter Madeline Herrera, who lives in Connecticut.

“Police are exhausting every avenue they can. They’re being extremely helpful. You can just imagine how horrible it’s been.”

Additional reporting by Jessica Simeone