Teen Arrested in Violent Midwood Elevator Robbery

One of two men caught on surveillance camera viciously beating and robbing a woman in an apartment building elevator in Midwood was arrested Wednesday, shortly after police released video of the incident.

Canarsie resident Tyler Hoppin, 18, was charged with robbery, assault, and criminal possession of stolen property for the robbery, which took place Sunday night in the vicinity of Avenue M and East 18th Street. His accomplice is still being sought by police.

Councilman Chaim Deutsch, who put up a $2,500 reward for information in the mugging, thanked police for the arrest and said he was “confident that another arrest is forthcoming.” The founder of the Flatbush Shomrim represents the area.

Hoppin and the other man, described as an African-American in his early 20s wearing a black T-shirt and multi-colored pants, were seen on video following the victim as she enters her apartment building and goes into the elevator.

The woman, apparently frightened at being alone in the elevator, attempted to walk out. She was thrown to the floor and beaten, before the assailants made off with her pocketbook.

CBS highlighted a video frame in which a neighbor was seen sticking a head out the door during the beating.

The victim was treated at Coney Island Hospital.

A camera outside the building caught one of the attackers throwing something, perhaps the pocketbook, over a fence into some bushes.

This article appeared in print on page 8 of the August 1st, 2014 edition of Hamodia.