The suspect and 43-14 60th St. (NYPD and Google Maps)
Sept. 22, 2020 By Christian Murray
The police have arrested a Bronx man who allegedly attacked and robbed a feisty 84-year-old man who was walking to St. Sebastian’s church in Woodside last month.
Angel Cruz, 46, was arrested for attacking the victim in front of 43-14 60th St. at around 7:45 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2. He approached the Woodside senior citizen from behind and tried to steal his wallet from his pants pocket, according to police.
The senior, who was identified as Oliver Neligan by Pix11 News, told the TV outlet that he fought back and threw a cup of coffee at the attacker to fend him off.
“Then he grabbed me and I kind of wrestled with him, and we went down,” Neligan said, who was able to rip off Cruz’ face mask.
Neligan’s head hit a wall as he fell to the ground. He suffered a bump on his head, a cut on his elbow and bruised ribs, the outlet reported. He was not seriously injured.
The thief fled the scene with Neligan’s eyeglasses, police said. The suspect did not get his wallet.
Police released video footage of the suspect the following week.
Cruz was busted after police were able to match a sample of Cruz’ DNA from the mask taken from the scene of the crime, according to PIX11 News.
He was arrested Sept. 14 on 3 counts of robbery, assault and grand larceny, according to police.
Face mask leads NYPD to ex-con accused of mugging 84-year-old veteran in Queens, victim says https://t.co/MNT9B2hYo7
— Mary Murphy (@MurphyPIX) September 21, 2020
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