Williamsburg Resident Wounded In Mugging Attempt

According to Williamsburg Shomrim, the victim and another friend were walking by the Taylor-Wythe Houses housing project on 70 Clymer Street, at 9:30 p.m, when they were approached by a black male, who pulled a gun and demanded money. The victim’s friend managed to flee, but the victim and perpetrator reportedly began arguing — the victim, of course, did not have money on him on Shabbos — and the perpetrator fired 2 shots, hitting the 24-year-old victim in the leg and hand.

There were several eyewitnesses to the incident, who called for help, and Hatzalah and Shomrim arrived. Hatzalah treated the victim and brought him to Bellevue Hospital, where he underwent successful surgery.

Shomrim and the New York Police Department  compiled information from the eyewitnesses, and the perpetrator — a Bronx man who was visiting a friend in Williamsburg — was caught a few hours later by the NYPD.

“The community is very thankful to the NYPD and the 90th Precinct, especially Deputy Inspector Mark DiPaolo, commanding officer of the precinct; and Lt. James Doherty, the precinct’s detective squad commander; for the quick response in apprehending this individual,” said Yanky Itzkowitz, Coordinator of Williamsburg Shomrim. “Furthermore, due to the concerns of the members of the community, and the possibility that this crime was at least partially racially motivated, the 90th Precinct brought the captain of the Hate Crime Unit for Brooklyn, Mark MaGrone; and Inspector Michael Kemper, of the Brooklyn North detective squad; to assist with the investigation, and we thank them all for their hard work in keeping our community safe.”

Eyewitnesses pointed the police investigators to the building where they saw the perpetrator fleeing. After checking the security cameras, the investigators were able to build a description of the assailant and determine the apartment to which he had fled; he was apprehended at the apartment four hours after the attack, without a struggle.

This article appeared in print on page 1 of the November 4th, 2013 edition of Hamodia.