Say She Stole Blind Woman’s Wallet
Detectives collared a Jamaica woman last Wednesday, May 23, for her alleged role in the recent pickpocketing of a visually impaired woman at a Forest Hills train station, police sources reported.
Law enforcement sources identified the perpetrator as 39-year-old Latisha Richardson of Merrick Boulevard. The second suspect involved in the caper, described as an African-American male in his 40s, remains at large as of press time, NYPD sources said.
Reportedly, the larceny took place
6 p.m. on Apr. 16 at the 75th Avenue station on the F line, located below the corner of Queens Boulevard and 75th Avenue.
According to authorities, the 68- year-old blind victim was walking with her seeing-eye dog on the stairs leading to the underground passageway when Richardson and the male suspect allegedly approached her.
Law enforcement sources stated that one of the perpetrators reached into the woman’s right dress pocket and removed her wallet; the duo then fled from the scene.
During the course of their investigation, police learned that the two suspects allegedly used credit cards in the woman’s wallet to make purchases at several area shops shortly after the robbery.
Following questioning, Richardson was taken into custody by detectives last Wednesday morning on charges of grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, jostling and criminal possession of a convicemen trolled substance, police said.
Richardson was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court last Thursday, May 24, before Judge John Zoll, who ordered her held on $50,000 bail. She is scheduled to return to court on June 12, according to court records.
Authorities described the African- American male suspect in the case as standing at 5’6″-tall and weighing about 150 lbs. He was last observed wearing a black t-shirt, a white jacket and a black baseball cap and carrying a black backpack.
The investigation is ongoing, police said.
Anyone with any information regarding the second suspect’s whereabouts that could prove helpful is asked to contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-577-TIPS, by text message to 274637 (enter information, then the code TIP577) or online at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.
All calls and messages will be kept confidential.
