You are reading

Masked suspect sought for choking, robbing child near East Elmhurst playground: NYPD

Cops are looking for this suspect who put a 12-year-old boy in a chokehold before snatching his cell phone at an East Elmhurst playground. NYPD

Nov. 1, 2024 By Bill Parry

Police from the 115th Precinct are looking for a suspect who attacked a young boy in broad daylight before robbing him near the Helen Marshall Playground in East Elmhurst and remains at large more than a week later.

The incident occurred at around 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24, as a 12-year-old child was walking near the intersection of 100th Street and 25th Avenue when a stranger approached the youngster from behind and placed him in a chokehold, police said. The perpetrator then forcibly removed the kid’s cell phone and ran off southbound on 100th Street toward 27th Avenue. The victim refused medical attention at the crime scene.

The NYPD released surveillance images of the suspect as he ran off and described him as having a dark complexion and a slim build. He wore a black face covering, a red hooded sweatshirt, gray sweatpants, and bright red sneakers.

Anyone with information regarding this robbery investigation is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org or on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.

Through Oct. 27, the 115th Precinct has reported 356 robberies so far in 2024, 67 more than the 289 reported at the same point last year, an increase of 23,2%, according to the most recent CompStat report. Felony assaults are also way up in the precinct, with 536 so far this year, 137 more than the 399 reported at the same point last year, an increase of 34.3%, according to CompStat.

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Fall fun in western Queens: Your guide to the best seasonal events

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With beach days and summer BBQs behind us, the start of September rings in the start of magnificent Fall foliage, Halloween and more fun activities that come with the start of Autumn, including a list of Fall events in the area. From apple picking to seasonal ciders and more, there is tons to explore in the community. From Mystic Markets to scary movie meet-ups and more, here is a list of Fall events you do not want to miss.

A hidden gem in Sunnyside: Bistro Punta Sal blends Peruvian and Italian flavors

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

On a quiet street in Sunnyside, Bistro Punta Sal has its French doors wide open, letting the late August breeze emanate throughout the space, which is ornate with flowers, paintings and an array of tables and chairs for intimate dinners with friends or a romantic date night. The cozy restaurant, located at 45-51 46th St., is a hidden gem in the neighborhood that is just waiting to be discovered, as the sights and aromas of the restaurant invite guests in. 

Off-duty paramedic spots South Richmond Hill two-alarm house fire that injures nine firefighters, two civilians on Friday morning: FDNY

Nine firefighters were injured, two of them seriously, and two civilians sustained minor injuries during a two-alarm house fire in South Richmond Hill on Friday morning, but it could have been worse if not for the actions of an off-duty veteran EMT.

Paramedic Craig Biscuiti was driving to work when he noticed a column of thick black smoke and heavy flames coming from the first floor of a two-story home at 95-36 111th St. just before 7:10 a.m.

Astoria doctor sentenced to more than two decades in prison for rape and sexual abuse: DA

An Astoria doctor was sentenced to 24 years in prison on Thursday in Queens Supreme Court for raping unconscious acquaintances and sexually abusing hospital patients.

Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng, 35, of Broadway, pleaded guilty on June 30 to four counts of rape in the first degree and three counts of sexual abuse in the first degree in satisfaction of the consolidated indictments against him. He additionally entered an Alford plea to one count of sexual abuse. The defendant — a former gastroenterologist at New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital — recorded the abuse of his unconscious victims with his cell phone in both his Astoria apartment and at the hospital.