Thaindian News

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) – A New York man violently mugged an 81-year-old man, stealing his car, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Jesus Fernandez, 23, from Long Island City section of Queens, New York, followed 81-year-old Mayer Behmoiras into his apartment building at approximately 11:10 p.m. on April 5, 2010, and accompanied the victim on the elevator up to his fifth floor residence. Fernandez allegedly admitted to have taken the victim’s keys while pushing him down and then stealing the victim’s 2001 Hyundai Elantra, which he attempted to sell.

According to the charges, the victim’s wife allegedly heard keys in the door, followed by a loud thud, and when she opened the door, she saw her husband laying on the floor in a pool of blood.

Behmoiras was rushed to the hospital and treated for a skull fracture – which required multiple staples to close. The victim, who has also suffered extensive memory loss, remains hospitalized.

“The defendant is accused of cowardly attacking an elderly and defenseless man by following him into his apartment house and then accompanying him onto the elevator. Once the victim reached his apartment, the defendant allegedly pounced, knocking his victim to the ground, stealing his keys and leaving his wife to find him laying injured outside their apartment door. This case will be prosecuted vigorously to ensure that justice is served,” Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said.

Fernandez was arrested Tuesday night by detectives from the New York City Police Department’s 114th Precinct. If convicted, on charges of first- and second-degree robbery and second-degree assault, Fernandez faces up to 25 years in prison.