This just in from a woman who was mugged on Sunday night. The good news is that one of the muggers was caught on Sunday night in the Park. I want to say THANKS to the woman who took the time to write this post as a way to warn women in the neighborhood. She’s been through a lot and still feels violated, frightened and vulnerable. THANK YOU.
I was mugged on my way home Sunday night at around 10:30. From what I’ve heard from neighbors, this has been going on for the past week or so.
I had passed these two kids when I was walking home from the 2 subway at Grand Army Plaza . They must have doubled back, and followed me – I saw them on the other side of the street about 20 feet behind me, but since there were plenty of people around, I felt ok, but very cautious. I turned down my block, and when I turned around, saw that they were following me. All I could think of was I needed to get to my door as soon as possible. I took my keys and my cell phone out of my bag. They came up on my stoop, I heard them and turned around, and then they backed me up against my door, pulled on my coat, telling me to give them the bag.
All I could think of was that they were going to drag me somewhere. The smaller of the two grabbed my bag, and they both ran into the park. I started screaming for people to help me, my downstairs neighbor and one of my other neighbors ran into the park after them, and a bunch of other people came out. My roommate and this other woman called the cops. I really appreciate all my neighbors and what they did for me. The cops came right away, asked me to get in the car, and we were going to drive into the park to see if I could identify them if found.
They ended up catching one of the kids in the park, but the other one got away. They had also dumped my bag and all its contents on a playground. He took my debit and credit card, my leather gloves, and my camera.
Although they didn’t hurt me, I still feel violated. Although they got one of them, I’m still scared.
I have had the satisfaction of identifying one of them. The cops had him in handcuffs near the playground, and asked me if that was one of them, I looked at his face, and immediately knew it was him. He denied it, of course, but the cop told me that when they got him, he had obviously been running, he was pretty winded. It was pretty satisfying knowing that I could identify him, say, “yes, that’s one of them” and that hopefully he’ll be put away.
He was the one that had me against my door and was in my face, but I don’t know if I could recognize the other one. I read up last night on sentencing for this type of crime (I couldn’t sleep), and since the kid has priors, he could actually go to jail for anywhere between 2 and 25 years depending on what classification felony it is.
The ADA called me Monday morning, and told me that the kid had given up his buddy, and the cops were now out looking for him so that they could arrest him. He also told me that since they took my credit cards, it’s a felony. I have to go to the grand jury on Friday. Detectives stopped by last night, and I’ll have to go to a line-up sometime this week to identify the other one, if I can.
Hopefully, these two are the ones who have been mugging other woman in the neighborhood and that there aren’t more of them out there. If this has happened to you recently, you should call the officer on your case, and tell them that you heard that someone had been arrested for a similar crime.
Horrible story, glad to hear the victim is okay – BUT by publishing her account of the story (especially the identification of the pep) she risks the prosecution – if you read this – IMMEDIATLY tell the ADA about your published account.
I have contacted both the Mayor’s office and David Yassky (our city council member) to make sure that they are aware of the muggings along 8th Avenue and asked for more police presence. I don’t know if it will amount to anything, but I figured it was worth a shot. If other people do the same, it may help.
Thank you for reporting the crime and pursuing the criminals. Most crimes in this neighborhood seem to go unreported (muggings and car break-ins) if the events people mention to me are representative, and it’s not hard to figure out why. Someone in my building reports he witnessed an 8th Ave. mugging several months ago, took time from work for a court date which was adjourned, then missed the next one because he had to work. He then got a notice that he could be fined for nonappearance, “treating me like the criminal”.
It’s clear the perps are choosing the streets near the park because of the easy getaway. This arrest may cool off the trend a bit, but an evening volunteer neighborhood watch for a few weeks may also help.
Some readers of gothamist.com have criticized commenter for applauding this woman’s clear-thinking efforts to catch the muggers. At least one opined that the maximum penalty of 25 years was extreme, considering the crime.
Well, aside from being very happy that the victim was not harmed physically, I am happy that she had the wherewithal to call for help, cooperate with the police and the ADA. These guys victimized other women. My wife and daughter walk along Eighth Ave. at night, believing themselves to be basically safe in our neighborhood. What is the difference between mugging and assault? Physical harm? Sexual attack? Having these two guys off the streets will, I believe, prevent more serious crimes. If this is their first offense, they will probably get off relatively easy.
Louise, I have been critical of some of the content on OTBKB, but read it anyway. It is this type of story that makes a local blog valuable. Thank you for soliciting the first-person account and presenting it in a non-judgmental fashion, allowing readers to form (and express)their own opinions.
Bravo to you and your neighbors, roommate, as well as the police for your and their quick, brave actions!!
I believe in Park Slope we have a default Neighborhood watch-people tend to help out pretty quickly if they are present during a crime…the only thing I would like to see is increased police presence and visiblity during this repetitive crime outburst, especially the bike patrols which are very fast and accessible to pedestrians.
The problems with organized vigilantism are too numerous to go into here, but they occasionally include quasi-authorized thuggery…better to request more tax-supported, trained, regulated police officers.
If we all keep our eyes and ears open, help out when necessary, alert our neighbors via word and blog, and call 911 immediately we will be better off as a neighborhood.
Keep up the good fight, and feel empowered by your quick thinking and yet cautious reactions!
I’m glad they the thugs, but it is very disturbing, especially after hearing a similar story from a woman who was mugged on 2nd St and 8th Ave. New Years day. Does anyone know if there is a Park Slope Neighborhood or Citizens Watch?
Wow! What a story. My understanding was that muggings pretty much went unpunished in this city. I am thrilled that you are taking the time and energy to help put these punks away. Thank you for your strength and good work.