LONG ISLAND CITY — A Forest Hills man was charged with strangling a Long Island City man, causing the victim to suffer a massive stroke and become paralyzed on his left side, a spokeswoman for Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.
Robert Cruz, 27, of 155-22 Jewel Ave. in Forest Hills, went to the victim’s home around noon May 21 when he complained that the victim owed him money, according to the criminal complaint.
Cruz allegedly lunged at the victim, putting both his hands around his neck and squeezing, causing the victim to be unable to breathe and falling to the ground, the complaint said.
Cruz allegedly then picked the victim off the ground and put him on the couch when the victim lost consciousness, the complaint said.
The victim suffered a stroke later that day, causing his entire left side to be paralyzed and is now in a wheelchair and bedridden, the complaint said.
Cruz was arraigned May 17 before Queens Criminal Court Judge Mary O’Donoghue, who remanded him without bail on charges of assault, strangulation and unlawful possession of marijuana, the spokeswoman said.
The defendant’s next court date is set for July 6, the spokeswoman said.
