Police arrested a man who robbed four people at knifepoint throughout Corona and Elmhurst last month.
Following an ongoing investigation, detectives arrested 17-year-old Alfonso Martinez of Corona on Nov. 21 for the crimes. He was charged with four counts of robbery.
The first three incidents reportedly took place between 10 p.m. and midnight on Oct. 24. At 10 p.m. that night, a 50-year-old woman was in front of a home on 40th Drive near 94th Street when the crook approached her from behind and held a knife to her throat.
The suspect then forcibly removed her purse, which contained items valued at $1,600, and fled on foot northbound on 94th Street toward Roosevelt Avenue.
The robberies continued at 11:32 that night when the suspect approached a 41-year-old woman from behind in front of a business on 104th Street between 45th and 46th Avenues. The suspect then pulled out a knife and took the victim’s cellphone, valued at $500. Before fleeing the scene on foot 47th Avenue, the crook slashed the victim in the upper arm and hand.
Minutes later at 11:40 p.m., the suspect approached a 21-year-old woman from behind near the corner of 45th Avenue and 108th Street. Police say that the suspect threatened the woman with a knife and told her to hand over her purse, valued at $400. The suspect then forcibly took the victim’s purse, cutting her arm in the process.
Both victims suffered minor injuries in these incidents and were taken to Elmhurst Hospital for treatment.
The fourth incident took place on Oct. 28. At 2:25 a.m. that morning, the suspect approached a 20-year-old man from behind near 98th Street and Corona Avenue, held a knife to his throat and forcibly took his wallet. A struggle ensued, and the suspect cut the victim on the neck. The suspect then fled on foot eastbound on Corona Avenue.
EMS responded to the scene and took the victim to Elmhurst Hospital where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries.
