Vigilant Bystanders Deliver Mugger to Hands of Justice

In the light of day and in the heart of Crown Heights, two African-American men assaulted and mugged a young Jewish man. Thanks to the heroic efforts of several bystanders, one of the perpetrators was caught and arrested.

The incident occurred at around 4:00pm near the corner of Kingston Ave. and Carroll Street.

The victim was approached by the two perpetrators, one of whom grabbed his neck and violently choke him, while demanding that he hand over his wallet and cell phone.

The victim promptly obeyed and handed over his money and phone, and the thieves ran off up Kingston Avenue towards President Street.

The victim’s shouts for help were heeded by a vigilant bystander, who chased down and tackled the assailant (his accomplice got away). As he was brought down to the ground, the victim’s wallet and phone fell out of his pocket.

A crowd of bystanders surrounded the perpetrator to hold him there until police arrived. Unfortunately, he managed to break free and bolted up Kingston Avenue. One of the bystanders chased the man, and finally caught up with him on Union Street between Troy and Schenectady Aves. There he held the man until police arrived.

Shomrim arrived at the scene and brought over the victim to where the police had arrived. He positively identified the suspect as the one who choked and mugged him.

The man was then place under arrest and taken down to the 71st Precinct, where a police report was filed.

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17 Comments

  • Mr fix it

    Great job by Shimon Liberow for stopping and initially detaining the thief while recovering the victims phone and wallet.

  • Thats a long run!

    Running from where they had him first until where he was stopped a 2nd time is a significant sprint!

    Whoever you are, props!!!

  • THE NEW SAD REALITY

    crown heights wake up!
    every week now Jews are being attacked on the
    streets of the community,some times out of hate others times for money, but the result is the same. the streets are not safe anymore.

  • Great job

    Shimon Liberow you made us proud! This is the proper way to protect our community. Stop crime in its tracks. Chaptzem!!!
    I arrived at the scene just moments after it happened. We flagged down a passing police car and called for Shomrim
    Remember: If you are ever attacked, 1) scream at the top of your lungs. 2) Chase after the perpetrator and PHYSICALLY hold him down.

  • Sara

    A bit suprised he got away from Shomrim.
    They should have been prepared for that.

    They do it all the time.

    • Anon

      He did not get away from Shomrim, they only arrived on scene after the mugger already fled.

      What I am (not really) surprised about how no one joined in helping Shimon Liberow, he was there alone, surrounded by silly gawkers doing nothing to help ensure the suspect stays put… So he fled, what do you expect?

  • I Dont understand why they choose us

    they have a slim chance of getting away with all the shomrim and jews watching each others back.

    i think they have to tell their friends that.

    or maybe they dont care getting caught cause the next day there on the streets again.

  • so much crime!!!

    With so much crime here, hope the yuppies leave their posts and rent real estate finally takes its plunge

    Enough of people taking advantage of the poor inesent chassidim of the rebbe’s shechuna!!!

  • Anonymous

    Y don’t the NYPD put policemen on every corner to stop all this caose?!?!?!
    They it a while ago and it helped!!!
    Children r scared to leave their houses!!!!
    It’s very sad!!!