A Jamaica teenager was criminally charged with robbery, grand larceny and assault in connection with a series of chain snatchings that targeted women in several locations across the borough in June and July.
The 16-year-old male was arrested on Aug. 12 after he surrendered to police at the 113th Precinct in South Jamaica. He was arraigned the following day before Queens Criminal Court Judge Marty Lentz on two criminal complaints charging him with two counts of robbery in the second degree, two counts of assault in the second degree, three counts of robbery in the third degree, three counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree, two counts of assault in the third degree and petit larceny.
According to the charges, on June 24, just before 4:30 p.m., at the northwest corner of 111th Avenue and Merrick Boulevard in Jamaica, the defendant walked past a 37-year-old pedestrian, then turned and reached for the jewelry around her neck. He grasped the pendant on the victim’s necklace and yanked with such force that it separated from the necklace. Then he fled with the pendant. The victim’s neck was scratched, and she was left in substantial pain.
On the same day, about an hour later, the defendant allegedly approached a 65-year-old woman from behind near the intersection of Linden and Merrick Boulevards in St. Albans. The woman felt pressure on her neck and turned. At that time, she realized someone was pulling her jewelry from her neck. The defendant ran away toward Archie Spigner Park with two necklaces belonging to the victim, which were valued at approximately $1,000, police said adding that the victim sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
A Jamaica teenager was criminally charged with robbery and assault for a series of chain stitching incidents that targeted women in broad daylight in several Queens neighborhoods.Photo courtesy of the NYPD
In the third incident, at approximately 12:30 p.m. on July 10, a 62-year-old woman was standing near the southwest corner of Roosevelt Avenue and 74th Street in Elmhurst when the defendant allegedly pulled her jewelry from her neck with such force that the victim’s neck was scratched and she was left in substantial pain. He then ran away with two of her necklaces that are valued at approximately $1,250, police said.
“As alleged, this defendant approached unsuspecting pedestrians in broad daylight and forcibly grabbed jewelry from their necks,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. “Thank you to our NYPD partners for apprehending the defendant, who will now be held responsible for his alleged actions.”
Queens Supreme Court Justice Bruna DiBiase on Monday, Aug. 17 continued bail of $2,000 cash and $4,000 bond and ordered the defendant to return to court on Sept. 15. He faces up to 15 years in prison, if convicted.
“My office is continuing to investigate several unrelated chain snatching incidents throughout Queens,” Katz said.