To Gun-Toting Thief: He Should Never See The Light Of Day

Casey, a mother of two, calls him a monster. Betty, a grandmother of four and of an infant baby born just this week, refers to him as a coward and the lowest form of life. And Sharon is afraid to leave her house with her two-year-old daughter, in fear that he may strike again.
All these women share a fear of a man who has threatened a total of three young children in order to rob their mothers. What they also share is their refusal to reveal their last names, in fear that their families could be the next victims.
"Every time we think we hit a new low, mankind sinks to another level," said Michael Cohen, Assemblyman of Forest Hills, where two of the attacks have taken place. "Ive never heard of a predator so disgusting and vile, to threaten children. I dont care about his social problems or his past history. When they arrest this predator, I promise to be there and support the just decision; that this animal should never see the light of day."
The first incident occurred on March 24 along Queens Boulevard at 12:40 p.m. A 28-year-old woman was pushing her stroller when the assailant approached her from behind. He pointed a handgun at her four-month-old child and demanded her wedding ring and wallet. The second also occurred in Forest Hills, along the ramp of the Long Island Railroad station on March 31 at 1:10 p.m. The 37-year old victim was told that if she did not give over her valuables, her baby would be murdered. He fled with her diamond engagement ring.
After the third incident, the borough was sent into alert, as the Queens Victims Squad held a meeting to announce the dangerous predator on the prowl. A 20-year-old woman was traveling with her two-year-old daughter on a northbound J train at 10:10 p.m., when she saw the suspect, a thin black man with a scar on his left cheek, swaying around them. The young girl was reciting her ABCs when she noticed the man and told her mother of the dancing man. Before she had a chance to look up and smile, he grabbed the mother by the hair and dragged her through the empty subway car and out on to the platform. When the child began to cry, the gunman smacked her in the face, telling the mother, "If you dont shut her up, I’ll blow her brains out."
At a secluded area of the subway, at 121 Street and Jamaica Avenue, the suspect pressed a shiny silver gun to the babys temple and laughed, telling the mother, "Close your eyes and pray that this is your lucky day," according to Police Lt. William McGuire.
The suspect punched her in the face. She then gave over her mothers ring, a gold chain with a diamond heart and her wallet. "It was like being inside a small steel cage with a vicious animal that had a gun to my babys head," said the mother who did not want to be identified. "I was trapped with nowhere to run. I was sure I was going to be murdered. I only prayed that my baby would be spared by God."
"Hes targeting younger women with children, knowing that there would be no resistance," McGuire said. "If he has a gun to a babys head, the mother will give him everything she has."
"This is normally a very safe neighborhood, but any criminal that preys upon our children gives us reason to be on pins and needles. It may not sound too Congressional, but I hope they throw the book at this punk," said Congressman Anthony Weiner of Forest Hills.
Five days after the last attack, the 20-year-old mother, through her lawyer Steven Gilden, announced that she is suing the city and the Transit Authority. The lawsuit accused the city of not providing adequate security at the station, stating that there are no security cameras or transit personnel.
"Its run down, its dark and there are light bulb sockets without light bulbs," Gilden said. He said his client is suing because, he said the TA they have failed to take reasonable measures to protect riders.
The suspect is described as about 25 years old, 5 feet, 11 inches tall, 140 pounds, with a medium to dark complexion. He has a goatee or scruffy beard and a long scar. In his most recent robbery, he wore a bandanna leading authorities to believe he might be part of a gang.
"Its a shame that some people have to be fearful of going outside in otherwise safe neighborhoods," said Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz. "I hope they catch this monster quickly."