April 10, 2020 By Michael Dorgan
Council Member Peter Koo was attacked by three teens as part of a botched robbery attempt outside his Flushing apartment building at around 9 p.m. last night, according to the NYPD.
Koo, 67, who doesn’t believe the attack was racially motivated, issued a statement today providing further details of the incident.
The council member said that he was struck from behind in the side of the head by one of the assailants as he entered the lobby of his downtown building on 41st Avenue. He said words were exchanged and when he took out his phone to call 911 the suspects tried to steal it.
Koo, who was uninjured by the suspects, held on to the phone and screamed at the muggers at which time they fled. He then spoke to the police.
The teens, according to police, went on to rob another man in front of 42-20 Kissena Blvd about five minutes later, before entering Kissena Park.
The police moved fast and nabbed two of the three suspects a short time later. The suspects were known to the police.
Koo, as part of his statement, thanked the NYPD for their swift action but noted how his experience was frightening.
“I maintained my composure to the best of my ability and contacted police immediately with the descriptions and the direction they were heading,” his statement read.
“For this reason, authorities were able to track them down in short time,” he said.
He asked the public to remain vigilant and to support law enforcement so that they have the resources to protect local communities.
Last night, after returning from a walk, three masked men assaulted me and tried to steal my phone in the lobby of my building. I screamed at them and didn’t give them anything until they ran off. The @NYPD109Pct tracked them down in short time trying to rob another person nearby
— Peter Koo (@CMPeterKoo) April 10, 2020
