Crime & Safety

Police: Five Arrested for Beating Father and Son

Alleged May 30 assault occurred in front of North Lawrence convenience store.

Five people were arrested for attacking and beating a father and son on May 30 outside a North Lawrence deli so badly that they needed to be hospitalized, police said in a release on Thursday.

The 22-year-old male victim parked his car in front of the superette at 254 Lawrence Avenue and was walking into the store when one of the defendants, Christopher Abel-Bay, 16, of Inwood, allegedly demanded his belongings, according to police. The teen, joined by the other defendants, apparently started to punch and kick the victim. Another defendant, Marcell Haynes, 16, of Inwood, allegedly struck the 22-year-old man in the head with a broom stick.

The victim’s 43-year-old father came out of the deli to try to protect his son and was apparently beaten unconscious by the five defendants, police said.

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Abel-Bay went over the victim’s car during the altercation and took his cell phone, according to police.

Both victims were transported by the Inwood Fire Department to an area hospital with serious head injuries for treatment, police said. No updates on the condition of the victims are available at this time.

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Abel-Bay was arrested on May 31 and charged with two counts of robbery in the first degree, gang assault in the second degree, assault in the second degree, two counts of robbery in third degree, criminal mischief in the third degree, criminal mischief in the fourth degree and two counts of possession of a dangerous weapon in the fourth degree. He was arraigned on June 1 in First District Court in Hempstead.

Haynes was arrested on June 6 and charged with two counts of robbery in the first degree, assault in the first degree, gang assault in the second degree, assault in the second degree, criminal mischief in the fourth degree and possession of a dangerous weapon in the fourth degree. He was arraigned on June 6 in First District Court.

Nicholas Belen, 18, of Inwood, was arrested on May 31 and charged with two counts of robbery in the first degree, gang assault in the second degree, assault in the second degree, criminal mischief in fourth degree and possession of a dangerous weapon in the fourth degree. He was arraigned on June 1 in First District Court.

Ricky McDuffie, 23, was arrested on May 31 and charged with robbery in the first degree, two counts of assault in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree and criminal mischief in the fourth degree. He was arraigned on May 31 in First District Court.

The fifth defendant that was arrested in connection with this crime is a juvenile who was arrested on Wednesday and was not identified by police.


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