FLUSHING, N.Y. — A 25-year-old man was sentenced to two decades behind bars following a violent home invasion that traumatized a young woman in September 2022. Michael Fan’s conviction was secured in absentia while he was a fugitive, having failed to return to court during his trial this past spring.
Fan, a resident of Farrington Street in Flushing, was found guilty of multiple charges including burglary, robbery, and unlawful imprisonment. Alongside two accomplices, Fan forcibly entered the victim’s home on Parsons Boulevard, where he threatened her life with a knife, tied her up, and stole her belongings. During the attack, the victim’s partner, observing the incident via surveillance footage from their basement, quickly contacted authorities for help.
The violent altercation occurred around 3 a.m. on September 7, 2022. Fan, along with accomplices Sihao Wang, 25, and Dong Ming Shi, 24, both from Flushing, approached the victim while she was smoking outside her home. The trio, clothed in black with masks obscuring their faces, overpowered her and dragged her inside. After barricading her in a separate room, Fan wielded a knife and demanded her cell phone, subsequently restraining her hands with zip ties.
In the ensuing chaos, the victim managed to free herself and dashed outside, opening a gate that granted police access. Upon arrival, officers from the 109th Precinct observed Fan through a window. As police chased the suspects, Wang dropped an airsoft pistol and was apprehended. Shi was also caught shortly thereafter, while Fan was discovered hiding beneath a deck in a nearby backyard. During his arrest, authorities found over $1,400 in cash on him.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz condemned Fan’s actions, expressing relief that he was ultimately held accountable. “He thumbed his nose at the criminal justice system by defying a judge’s instructions not to leave the courtroom during his trial,” Katz noted during the sentencing.
Justice Gary Miret, overseeing the case, sentenced Fan to 20 years in prison along with five years of post-release supervision. Katz thanked both the prosecutors and law enforcement for their relentless pursuit of justice in what she described as a heinous act against the victim.
Fan’s codefendant, Sihao Wang, later pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and received a two-year prison sentence along with post-release supervision. Dong Ming Shi’s whereabouts remain unknown, as he is believed to have fled the country following the incident. This case highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing violent crime and the importance of swift legal action to provide justice for victims.