Christian Torres, a career criminal, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempting to rob a 91-year-old cancer patient in a brutal attack on the Upper East Side. The incident, which occurred on February 1, 2024, left the bedridden victim, Hyman Silverglad, with severe injuries and trauma that he described as agonizing.
Torres, 45, violently shoved Silverglad to the ground and assaulted him in an attempt to steal his wallet. The attack resulted in six bone fractures, broken ribs, a liver hematoma, and another fracture at the base of Silverglad’s spine. The elderly man, who was already battling cancer and kidney failure at the time, expressed that the pain he endured made him believe that death would be a better alternative.
In a victim impact statement, Silverglad shared his fear and trauma following the assault, stating that he now lives in constant fear of being attacked again and rarely leaves his home without someone accompanying him. The assailant fled the scene empty-handed, but was apprehended more than a week later. Silverglad’s plea for the court to consider the barbarity of the attack in sentencing Torres was met with a 15-year prison term.
Torres, who has a history of prior arrests and convictions, was convicted of first-degree assault, first-degree attempted robbery, and second-degree assault by a jury in June. His criminal record includes a previous prison sentence for a Bronx robbery conviction and a prior conviction for arson and robbery in the Bronx in 1998.
District Attorney Alvin Bragg emphasized the severity of the crime, highlighting the unprovoked nature of the attack on the elderly man. He expressed hope that the sentencing would bring closure to the victim as he continues to heal from the traumatic incident. The district attorney’s office remains committed to holding accountable those who threaten the safety of older New Yorkers.
Overall, the sentencing of Christian Torres serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable members of society and ensuring that justice is served for victims of violent crimes.
