Say Would-Be Thief Refused To Drop Gun
Moments after allegedly attempting to carjack an 89-yearold man on a Corona street last Thursday, Jan. 19, the 46-year-old suspected bandit was shot and wounded by police while leading them on a foot pursuit through the neighborhood, authorities said.
Law enforcement sources said the trouble began at around 1:05 p.m. last Thursday in the vicinity of Christie Avenue and 103rd Street.
Reportedly, the 89-year-old male victim was sitting inside his 1992 Oldsmobile when the perpetrator- identified by police as Howard Freire, 46, of 169th Street in Jamaica- approached him and ordered him to leave the vehicle.
Police said Freire upon announcing the robbery, allegedly hit the 89- year-old man with the gun, causing lacerations to his arm. At that moment, it was reported, two individuals who witnessed the carjacking in progress came to the victim’s aid.
The suspect then fled from the scene on foot, authorities noted.
Members of the 110th Precinct and EMS units responded to the location. The 89-year-old man was brought to New York Hospital Queens for treatment of his injuries.
Responding officers obtained a description of the suspected carjacker and transmitted it to other units in the area.
According to police, several officers inside an unmarked patrol car spotted Freire-who matched the description of the carjacker-a short distance from the crime scene. Upon attempting to stop him, Freire reportedly fled on foot, leading the officers on a foot pursuit to a driveway on 46th Avenue between Corona Avenue and Junction Boulevard.
Once inside the driveway, law ention forcement sources stated, the officers ordered the suspect to put down his weapon. According to authorities, Freire allegedly instead turned toward the officers.
Police said one of the officers then fired a single shot which struck the suspect in the torso. Emergency medical technicians brought Freire to Elmhurst Hospital Center, where he was listed in stable condition.
Reportedly, a BB gun powered by a carbon dioxide cartridge and painted black to resemble a handgun was recovered from the driveway where the suspect was shot.
Freire was charged with first-degree robbery, three counts of seconddegree robbery, two counts of assault, and singular counts of menacing, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of stolen property, police said.
