By Angelica Acevedo
FLUSHING — The NYPD is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying four out of five men in connection with a series of robberies and assaults that occurred in Flushing June 27.
According to police, at 5:10 a.m. a 38-year-old man was approached by a group of five men in front of 132-18 41 Ave. while he was walking to his parked car. The men forcibly grabbed the victim, held down his arms and went through his pockets, police said.
They then fled the scene with his cash. Police said the victim sustained pain to his torso as a result and was treated at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
Later that day, at about 5:50 a.m., a 62-year-old man who was sitting at a table inside a McDonald’s located in 30-01 Stratton St. had his cellphone stolen from one of the unidentified men, authorities said. The victim then chased after the man but was approached by the four other men who claimed he’d have to pay them to get his cellphone back.
Police said once the victim refused, one of the men in the group struck him in the head with an unknown object. The men then attempted to remove the victim’s wallet and fled the scene. The victim sustained a fracture to his right eye socket and was treated at Flushing Hospital Medical Center, authorities said.
According to police, they have apprehended one of the five individuals involved in both incidents pursuant to their ongoing investigation.
Police identified him as a 16-year-old Darnell Williams of 137-17 234 Street, charging him with robbery and assault.
The other four men are described by police as Black and between the ages of 18 to 25.
A surveillance video provided by the NYPD depicts the man who stole the cellphone as well as the other four men outside of the location. The man with the red shirt was the 16-year-old, police said.
