Teenager Shoved Woman Down Steps, Stole Purse
A 16-year-old boy is facing multiple charges after a violent mugging outside a Queens church over the weekend. Police say the suspect shoved an elderly woman down the steps before stealing her purse and car.
Brutal Attack Captured on Video
Surveillance footage captured the attack, which took place on Sunday morning outside St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Briarwood. The video shows the young man approaching the 68-year-old victim, identified as Irene Tahliambouris, as she walks up the church steps. He then shoves her down the stairs, causing her to fall.
Victim Remains Hospitalized
While Tahliambouris lay injured, the suspect stole her purse containing cash, a cell phone, and a credit card. He then fled the scene in her car, a 2006 Nissan Altima. According to a GoFundMe page set up by her family, Tahliambouris remains in critical condition at the hospital.
Teenager Charged with Multiple Offenses
Police apprehended the suspect on Thursday night. Due to his age, his identity has not been released. He is facing charges including robbery, assault, grand larceny, and criminal possession of stolen property.
Increased Patrols in the Area
Following the attack, authorities have increased patrols in the vicinity of the church. Father Konstantinos Kalogridis, a church official, expressed shock and dismay over the incident. “Parishioners were shocked because we don’t have incidents like that here in this area of the neighborhood,” he said. “There was fear, they were angry and sad for the woman as she went through this.”
