As we look forward to 2023, QNS is looking back at the top stories throughout 2022.
Below are the top stories from the month of June, which include a Woodside nightclub owner slammed with a $1 million fine; the arrest of Briarwood resident Glenn Hirsch in the death of Forest Hills’ Chinese delivery restaurant worker Zhiwen Yan; a deadly fire that killed three people in South Richmond Hill; and the discovery of a woman’s body near Citi Field.
Woodside nightclub slammed with $1 million fine for cooking the books
Mamajuana Cafe Queens, a Dominican restaurant and bar located at 33-15 56th St. in Woodside, and its owner Oscar Monegro pleaded guilty to multiple felonies, including grand larceny and criminal tax fraud. The nightclub was hit with a $1 million fine.
Between December 2012 and February 2020, Monegro collected at least $1 million in sales tax from customers to his business, Culturas Fiesta Corporation, doing business as Mamajuana Queens. He underreported sales and failed to send the sales tax collected to New York state as required by law. NYS Tax Department Investigators uncovered the crimes by analyzing sales tax and corporation tax returns. In all, Monegro was ordered to pay back $1 million in restitution.
Briarwood man arrested for murder of Forest Hills’ Zhiwen Yan
Briarwood resident Glenn Hirsch was indicted by a Queens grand jury on murder, stalking and other charges in the death of 45-year-old Chinese restaurant delivery worker Zhiwen Yan, who was gunned down on his scooter just moments after dropping off an order in Forest Hills on April 30.
Hirsch, 51, was arraigned on a 10-count indictment charging him with murder in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, criminal mischief, menacing and stalking. Hirsch, who allegedly became irate with workers at the Great Wall Chinese restaurant over duck sauce, had begun to stalk and harass the employees, including Yan.
On the night of April 30, Hirsch allegedly drove by the Great Wall restaurant seven times. After Yan made a delivery at 108th Street, Hirsch approached him and allegedly shot Yan in the chest. Yan had died as a result of a single gunshot wound. Following Yan’s death, the community created a makeshift memorial outside of the Chinese restaurant and held a vigil in his remembrance.
Three killed in massive five-alarm blaze in South Richmond Hill
Three people were killed in a blaze that broke out in a three-story home at 104-18 125th St. in South Richmond Hill on June 17. More than 200 firefighters encountered heavy smoke conditions and residents on the street were warned to close their windows. A roof partially collapsed in the rear of the house, nearly trapping some of the firefighters. Four neighboring homes were heavily damaged during the blaze, including one home across the street. Five firefighters suffered minor injuries, and officials from the American Red Cross had provided emergency assistance to nine families, including 29 adults and 13 children.
Dead woman found in abandoned car near Citi Field
The NYPD discovered the body of a 32-year-old woman inside a car abandoned near Citi Field. Police from the 110th Precinct in Elmhurst were checking out a white Honda that did not have license plates when they found the unidentified woman unconscious and unresponsive in the back seat.
The vehicle was parked at 127th Street and 35th Avenue in the Willets Point neighborhood known as the Iron Triangle, which is slowly being paved over for development.
