Police Nab Knife-Wielding Mugger

A 25-year-old man told police that at 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, he was standing outside 201 W. 108th St., at Amsterdam Avenue, when a 23-year-old male stranger approached, displayed a pocket knife with a green handle and said, “You better pay up, or else something is going to happen!” The victim apparently handed over $2, and the suspect then struck him in the face with a closed fist, causing pain and swelling. After the incident, police found the suspect, Mathew Hernandez, who was arrested and charged with robbery. Upon arrest he was found in possession of a .38 Smith & Wesson special revolver containing five live rounds, as well as multiple containers containing alleged crack cocaine. The victim refused medical attention at the scene.

Abusive Boyfriend Arrested on Assault Charges

A 38-year-old woman living at 875 Amsterdam Ave., at West 103rd Street, reported that at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31, her 36-year-old ex-boyfriend hit her on the right side of her face with a firearm, causing a laceration and redness on her right ear; the police report didn’t cite the location of this attack. When she returned home her boyfriend came to her apartment and threw a candle at her TV, damaging it. Alfred Cabral was arrested and charged with assault. The broken TV was valued at $1,000.

Verbal Dispute Turns Physical

According to police, at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 3, a 25-year-old woman living at 211 W. 101st St., between Broadway and Amsterdam avenues, got into a verbal dispute with her 28-year-old boyfriend that led to a physical fight. The boyfriend dragged her down the front steps of her building, hit her head against a tree and struck her in the head with an electronic tablet. She sustained cuts and bruises but refused medical attention. Patrick Garce was arrested on Thursday, Nov. 6, and charged with assault.

Young Woman Tied Up and Abused by Girlfriend

An 18-year-old woman living at 51 W. 89th St., near Columbus Avenue, claimed that at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 5, her 22-year-old girlfriend slapped her and woke her up. The girlfriend pulled her out of bed, causing a small laceration to the victim’s left leg. The girlfriend then held a knife to the 18-year-old’s forehead and threatened to kill her. The girlfriend also poured rubbing alcohol on the victim and tried to set her on fire but failed. The suspect then tied up the victim and made her drink alcohol mixed with an unknown controlled substance. The victim said that every time she lost consciousness her girlfriend slapped her to keep her awake. Naila Williams was arrested on Wednesday, Nov. 12, and charged with assault.

“Chinese Police Department” Scam Claims Another Victim

A 22-year-old woman of Asian descent living on Columbus Avenue said that at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28, she received a phone call from someone claiming to be from the Chinese Police Department. The caller said she would receive a warrant for her arrest if she did not send them $128,000. As instructed, the victim provided her Chinese passport information, including an ID number and home address. She then wire-transferred the full amount in five transactions to a Chinese bank account the suspect specified, with a last payment at 2:05 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9. Only later did she realize she had been victimized by a scammer.