A Corona man remains locked up for assaulting a woman in Middle Village and trying to steal her handbag last week, cops said.
According to police, the victim spotted the suspect Christian R. Mendez, 23, of 108th Street in Corona, walking behind her in the area of 74th Street near Metropolitan Avenue between 4:35 and 4:39 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 9.
Mendez allegedly approached her and said, “Give me my money.” When the victim refused to cooperate, cops said, Mendez grabbed her handbag and tried to wrestle it away from her, repeatedly striking her hand, causing bruising and swelling.
At that point in the struggle, law enforcement sources said, Mendez pulled out a blade with a red handle and cut her hand, causing a laceration and bleeding to her hand.
Officers from the 104th Precinct stopped the suspect soon after the incident; they found a plastic bag containing cocaine in Mendez’s pocket, prosecutors said.
Mendez was arrested on charges of first- and second-degree attempted robbery, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, assault with intent to cause physical injury with a weapon, felony assault and criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Mendez was released on $35,000 bond or $10,000 cash. He is due back in court on Dec. 23.
