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Bochurim Apprehend Thug who Attacked Jewish Woman

CROWN HEIGHTS [CHI] — A Jewish woman bravely fought off a thug who attacked and mugged her in the lobby of her apartment building, and followed her assailant while calling for help. Bochurim sprung to action and grabbed the thug, while calling Shomrim and Police.

The woman recounted the incident to a police officer, tell him how the thug, a black man in his early 20’s, grabbed her from behind as she stood in the lobby of her building, 888 Montgomery Street, waiting for the elevator, and whispered to her to be quiet. She did not, she struggled and fought back and the mugger pushed her to the ground and snatched her purse.

Not succumbing to her fear, the woman got up and chased the thug on to the street while screaming for help.

Bochurim from Hamesivta of Ocean Parkway were learning in a house, due to the snow, on the same block heard the calls for help, and jumped out to the woman’s aid, apprehending the perpetrator and holding him until police arrived.

When Shomrim arrived on scene the Bochurim asked them to take hold of the mugger, but a Shomrim coordinator on the scene told them “be proud of your actions, you hold him till police arrive!” adding that “we need more regular people to act the way you did!”

Due to the harsh road condition police took some time to arrive, but when they did they were proactive and sensitive. They took the suspect into custody, and after the victim identified him they arrested him.

Shomrim escorted the victim to the police station, and helped gather witnesses and fill out the report.

The suspect did not have identification on him, and refused to tell police his name or any other information. Though police did find drugs in his possession, and in addition to charging him with robbery, they charged him with possession as well.

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106 Comments

  • Hashem Yeracheim

    How many days till he’s back on the streets doing it again???? BH this story ended the way it did but WHY IS IT HAPPENING TO BEGIN WITH>>

  • Way to go

    Thats the Hamisivta bochurim from Ocean Parkway. They had Yeshiva at their dorm today because of no bus service to Flatbush. Alts iz bashert!

  • was there

    brave women and a great group of brave mesivta bochurim
    they deserve a medal for this!!

  • previous student

    what an amazing yeshivah!!!! they really teach them well there!!
    Rabbi Heller!! what an amazing teacher!!

  • great yeshiva

    go meir ankel leib katz sruly backman and of course rabbi heller . whereis lieblach

  • go-d-s right hand man

    The self sacrifice it takes to live in a place like crown heights is really great i commend all the chasidim that have stayed and made it a makom torah and a place where jews and whites can live without fear of being robbed or taken advantage of by strangers

  • to # 2

    They were brave hamesivta bochurim who couldnt go to ocean pkwy b/c of the snow, bihashgochah pratis they were just about start davvening, when they heard a young lady screaming HELP, one of the hamesivta bochurim was coming up montgomery when he saw the thug running his direction, he thout fast and spilled his hot coffee in the thugs face to stund him and took him down while the thug punched him a few times in the chest, then another bochur came to help while being bitten in the hand by the thug, who like ten minuets was arrested.

  • hamisivta

    go meir engel leib katz nissi yomtov mendel ezagui rabbi heller and the cops that did nothing

  • Mugger watch

    ATTENTION Muggers and Criminals:

    It is NOT cool to mug and commit crimes in Jewish neighborhoods you will get caught!

  • hamisivta rocks

    yes hamisivta is a amazing school
    everyone should send there kids there
    also shout out to MEIR ANGEL for being so brave and aware

    AND LEB KATZ FOR HELOPIN OUT

    you guys are superheros yeee

  • MOTHER OF THE VICTIM

    A VERY BIG THANK YOU, TO THE FANTASTIC BOCHURIM THAT HELPED MY DAUGHTER, TO THE SHOMRIM THAT ARRIVED SO FAST, AND TO THE POLICE OFFICERS THAT WERE AMAZINGLY HELPFUL…..

  • Richard Wald

    The boys are to be commended for their quick thinking and actions. They refused to stand by while this woman was being attacked. They did the right thing by holding the perpertrator until the police took him into custody. The Mesivta, the rebbeim and the boys families should be proud of actions ofthese bochrim.

  • tipshim

    I’m glad that you people are proud of what you did. But there is a bigger problem that you people seem to overlook. Why is there so mucccccch crime going on in the Rebbe’s Shechuneh. What happened to the Crown Heights That was takeh a neighborhood to be proud of. How many robberies go unreported thanks the pressure of our whatever you want to call them, whether its the vaad or the precint.So therefore I must say welcome tpo CHelm Heights. Now thats a more appropiate name for what goes on in the neighborhood. It reminds me of a yid that was held up by three Ganovim. They made a circle and told the yid not to move out of that circle, under the threat of death.Meanwhile they stripped his car to pieces, and all the time he was laughing. when they finished with the car, they asked the yid what’s so funny, while we were stripping your prizely possession. He answered while you were not looking I stepped out of the circle a few times. LOL

  • S. Katz

    I’m so proud of you, Leib for going to yeshiva to learn!
    KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! May you always use your koach for good.
    Love, Bobbi and Zeidie

  • your favorite aunt

    WAY TO GO MY LEIBEL KNEIDLE!!!!! KNEW ALL THOSE HOURS AT THE GYM WILL PAY OFF! GO MECHAYIL EL CHAYIL!!!`

  • FAVORIT

    WAY TO GO LEIBEL KNAIDLE!!! KNEW ALL THOSE HOURS AT THE GYM WOULD PAY OFF!! MECHAYIL EL CHAYIL!!

  • G-D help his right hand

    G-D’s right hand man? az ochen vei!!! I live in Crown Heights after having lived in other places and with it all would rather live here! It is still the Rebbe’s Shchuna and has a certain avir that no other place has! and by the way one of those bochurim is my dear grandson. Crime is all over, not just here. DON’T FOOL YOURSELF!!!!!

  • Proud

    Glad to see we have enough brave soldiers and enough caring one for the other to see us through these difficult times.

  • MOTHER OF THE VICTIM

    A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE AMAZING BOCHURIM, TO THE SPECIAL SHOMRIM, AND TO THE, POLICE OFFICERS, THAT WERE AMAZINGLY HELPFUL AND UNDERSTANDING.

  • On another note

    To all those teenagers who have ever even THOUGHT about trying drugs, this is what it leads to. You become addicted and feel you have no choice but to steal to feed your habit. Then you will end up in jail. So… SAY NO TO DRUGS!

  • galus

    good job yiddishe boys! thank u!

    good for shouting for help yiddishe tochter.

    I carry pepper spray on me..at first at night..and now -always. women: buy it..i got it at weinsteins.

  • devorah

    go leib katz rabbi heller and meir angle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you guys should get the most biggest reward!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

  • amazing

    wowwwwww so amazedddddd keep up the good workkkkkkk, SO SO SO PROUD!!!!!!!
    and what a brave womannn!! BH amazing!!

  • The bochur who was bitten

    The bochur who was bitten should be checked for aids. I’m just sayin’

  • nechy

    WOW, SOOOOOOOO BRAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    THE GYM REALLY PAID OFF DIDNT IT!!!!!!!
    SUUUUUUUUUPPPPPEEEERRRRRRRRR MAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNN!

  • Family Friend

    Baruch hashem nothing worse happened. Kol ha kavod to the victim who stood up for herself and likely saved herself from something K’H much worse. May this only make her stronger.

  • leib katz

    thank you meir we make a grate team,
    thank god everything worked out perfect timing, if not the criminal wouldnt be in jail right now!
    so u see rabbi Leblaich not coming on time really pays off!lol

  • ceo

    WOW what great people, GREAT work. I hope the woman who was attacked is ok. This is just going on too much. This guy was just needing more money for more drugs, how many more are like this, where are their leaders, why doesnt anyone take responsibility for them

  • Proud Crown Heightser

    It was MEIR ENGEL who first heard the lady shout and then quickly threw his coffee into the thug’s face. He promptly tackled him and then Leib Katz ran in to help tackle the criminal. I am very proud to live in the same community as them!! They make it much safer for all of us!

  • meir engel

    thanks guys i never had a better use for a cup of coffee in my life and that was the most useful tackle i ever gave somebody i wonder if the women is ok she looked bad when i saw her there outside

  • previous student

    GO RABBI HELLER!!
    HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TEACHER FOR ALL YOUR CHILDREN!!
    TEACHES YOUR TEENAGERS THE RIGHT THINGS
    FOR EXAMPLE:…………..

  • binyomin khaimov

    wow I wasn’t there but heard the whole story it was just crazy but it was hashgacha pratis that one of the students walking had a hot liquid (probably coffee in todays widespread craze) anyways,way to go bochrim col tuv besires toyves I also want to add that no matter what anybody says rabbi heller is the best, we couldn’t have done it without you

  • To Meir Engel

    To Meir Engel:
    the woman is ok b”h and VERY VERY thankful to you and the rest of the bochurim!!!!

  • Vocal & Proactive

    This proves that the police tend to be far more cooperative when there is a public presence and people will see and publicize the way they handle crime. Yet another case for being proactive.

  • Political clout

    Davening helps but we also need to take action. We need to get more good people to move into the neighborhood so we can get our own council-member.

  • ch resident

    Oh my gosh. Did anyone think of asking the ok of the rabbonim or the vaad hakahol before throwing coffee or attacking the guy or calling the police? They should have told the guy to wait and see what the psak din is on throwing coffee or tackling him or calling police. I am sure he would have waited patiently. After all . . .
    Good for you guys for acting quickly!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 71pct

    to the family of the victim: thank you for your praise…..it makes doing our job feel that much better…..and despite some of the negative comments regarding the 71st precinct at times, i am glad that you had a positive experience in dealing with us…..you guys did a great job and were very helpful!!! thanks for the vitamin water!!!

  • Rabbi Lieblich

    Bochurim, Tomorrow its back to learning, hope you saw what’s out there in the world and you dedicate your life to torah,

    We are very proud of you.

    Rabbi Lieblich

  • HaMesivta Parent

    HaMesivta is the best yeshiva, they really care about the bochurim and work WITH them not AT them,

    every bochur is cared for and grows, the teachers are the most dedicated out there, you can see by the extra hours they put in and the love the students have for them,
    just by the amount of comments you have here you can see how much the boys love the school

    HaMesivta KEEP IT UP

  • PROUD SISTER!!!! :D

    WOY!! GO MEIR!! MY HERO!!! I HAVE THE BEST BRO EVER!!! U’R SOOOOOOOO AWESOME!!! I BET C.H DIDN’T KNOW THAT SUPER MAN WAS BACK, UNDER COVER!!! :) YOU SHOULD GET A REWARD! I MEEN U SACRIFISED A CUP OF COFFEE IN ORDER TO CATCH THIS BUM!!! WAY 2 GO MEIR!!!!! {AWESOME TACKLE, BTW.} I LUV U!!! :D GO MEIR HERTZ ENGEL!!!!

  • Menachem you-re the best!!!

    Hey Menachem, Just wanted to let you know that as your uncle, aunt and cousins- we really feel safer with you around!! You’re our hero!!! Seriously, you are always busy with good things and we r proud of u!!

  • Common Sense

    It’s great to see community action. :)
    This sends a message that crime will not be tolerated.

  • montgomery street resident

    i was on the block at the time and witnessed the entire scene..a woman suddenly ran out of the building yelling for help at the top of her lungs as the perpetrator tried to escape down to schenectady ave. a man was standing in his way and grabbed him, and then the yeshiva boys tackled him to the ground. altough the criminal was still struggling, one of the boys had the presence of mind to splash hot coffee in to his face, effectively subduing him. Mrs Gopin called the police, and when they arrived they were very impresses with both the woman’s and the boys’ brave actions and quick thinking. it was a very nice display of unity, and may this community be blessed to always have such achdut among them. a hearty slap on the back to all those involved.

  • MOTHER OF THE VICTIM

    TO 71PTC

    OUR EXPERIENCE WITH YOU, WAS VERY POSITIVE:)))))) I JUST HOPE NEXT TIME WE MEET, WILL ONLY BE FOR COFFEE:))))) I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE WAY YOU HANDLED THE SITUATION…. A LOT OF TACT AND CONSIDERATION…..THANKS TO YOU!!!!
    AND…PLEASURE FOR THE VITAMIN WATER:))))))

  • Just spoke to the Management of 888

    They have had plans for a while now to install cameras in 888, but will not make it a priority to happen some time in January.

    Thank you David, from all the tenants of 888.

  • Shteck (ask your father :)

    Go, Meir, Go!!! What a famously courageous quick thinking nephew I have the pleasure of having! Truly an ‘a-engel’ in disguise!! I knew you’d find a good use for that caffeine!! See? Caffeine really is good for you!

  • Look at this!!!!!

    Look at this hashkacha prutis the bochrim couldn’t learn in school because of the snow conditions therefore they were learning in a house right next to the incident to help

    PS
    Thank you
    Bochrim with out you who knows what could of happened

  • CH.

    The robber, Lewis, has 10 (ten) priors starting 2003.
    His last known address is 1710 Carrol St apt.2B.

  • rabbi heller

    the thug was fighting with them and rabbi heller ran over to the guy and scrayem dont move and the guy froze

  • Pevious Student

    Rabbi Heller is the best. Hamesivta has the best teachers. I was there for 3 years best 3 years ever. wish I could do it again. Rabbi Lieblich was in tefillin and he saw from inside the house that everything was under control so he didn’t want to walk outside in his tefillin. Good job all around. The yeshiva could really use donations so please try and help out. GO HAMESIVTA

  • To ????????

    Yes he took down a thug with his coffee and his streangh may hashem bless him if not for him the women would have had her purse stolen

  • wow! go police

    GO POLICE OFFICERS! i am shocked beyand words! usally the police show up 3 houres after , but this time they were a little quicker!
    keep up the good work police men!!!!!!!!
    keep up the good work shomrim
    keep up the good work bochrim

  • to # 91

    its very nice that the jewish girls of crown heights were also a part of thanking meir!

    but what i am wondering did the lady thank meir yet??? she shouldve invited him to eat by her house on shabbos!!!

    TO MEIR:its really cold and boring out here!