Queens, New York – A teenage suspect has been charged for his alleged involvement in a violent attack on a 68-year-old woman outside a church in Queens, District Attorney Melinda Katz revealed. The suspect, whose identity is being withheld due to his age, is accused of pushing the victim down the stairs, robbing her, and then fleeing the scene. In a separate incident a few days prior, the same suspect has been linked to another robbery, according to Katz.
“The viciousness of the defendant’s actions in the church robbery has deeply impacted the city,” said Katz. “Allegedly, he assaulted an elderly woman, stealing her purse and leaving her injured, all while driving off in her car.” The incident, caught on surveillance footage, showed the suspect forcefully shoving the victim down a flight of stairs outside the church.
The attack took place as the woman was on her way to church, with the suspect reportedly running up the staircase, attacking her, and causing her to fall and hit her head. The victim sustained critical injuries from the fall, including a purse theft that contained cash, a cellphone, credit card, and car keys. The suspect fled the scene in the victim’s Nissan Altima.
Law enforcement authorities were able to apprehend the suspect near his residence on Thursday. Additionally, the suspect is also facing charges related to a robbery on April 4, where he allegedly followed a woman into an elevator, demanded money and keys to her vehicle, and fled the scene with the stolen items.
The charges against the suspect in the church robbery include assault in the first degree, robbery in the first degree, assault in the second degree, grand larceny, and criminal possession of stolen property. For the April 4 robbery, the suspect faces charges of robbery in the first and second degrees, grand larceny, menacing, and unauthorized use of a vehicle, among others. If convicted, he could face up to 25 years in prison.
This case highlights the disturbing nature of the crimes committed by the suspect and the need for swift justice to ensure the safety of the community. The authorities are working diligently to bring the suspect to justice and hold him accountable for his actions.