A shocking incident took place near Times Square where a 13-year-old migrant boy and his three masked friends attacked a man because he refused to take their photo. The Ecuadorian teen and his buddies approached a 23-year-old pedestrian at West 40th Street and Second Avenue and requested him to take their picture. When the man declined, the group turned violent, punching him in the face and stabbing him in the back and leg.
Despite their attempts to steal his cellphone, the suspects were unsuccessful and fled the scene. However, law enforcement officers were able to apprehend the young teen after a search in the area with the victim. The teenager, whose last known address is at the Roosevelt Hotel, a place known for violence, was charged with second-degree robbery.
Fortunately, the victim did not require medical attention as the stab wounds were superficial. Three other suspects, all dressed in black with masks, are still at large. The arrested teen had a previous run-in with the law on October 26 for his involvement in a chain snatching incident on a northbound F train in Brooklyn.
This incident comes at a time when the NYPD is dealing with a surge in juvenile crime. Chief of Crime Control Strategies Michael Lipetri mentioned that juveniles are committing multiple robberies, with many of them being processed through Family Court. The police are working diligently to address this concerning trend and ensure the safety of the community.
