NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A Queens father was fatally thrown from the getaway vehicle of two thieves as he chased after them for breaking into his vehicle on Wednesday afternoon, police said Thursday as the search for the suspects continued.
The victim, Mauro Chimbay, of Woodside, was on 85th Street, between 25th and 30th avenues, in East Elmhurst just after 3 p.m. when he caught a man breaking into his white Toyota Highlander, police said.
Chimbay, 43, confronted the thief, who fled into a white BMW sedan driven by a second man.
He chased after them and grabbed onto the hood of the BMW as they sped away. The driver hit the brakes while traveling at a high rate of speed, causing Chimbay to be thrown from the vehicle, according to police and witnesses.
Shocked residents gather at the scene of the deadly altercation in East Elmhurst.Citizen App
He suffered severe head trauma in the fall, police said. Multiple people called 911, and while EMS rushed him to NYC Health + Hospitals, he was unable to be saved.
A crowd playing volleyball at the Gorman Playground across the street saw the entire ordeal unfold. Kevin Gonzalez said it all happened very quickly—in about 30 seconds.
"He latched onto the hood of the car to try to stop them," Gonzalez said. "He fell off the car and he hit himself against something. And that's when we went to try to help him. He was in very bad condition."
Chimbay was a father of two daughters who immigrated to the U.S. from Ecuador nearly 30 years ago, according to the Daily News.
The two suspects were last seen speeding away up 85th Street, according to police. Their BMW may have Massachusetts license plates.
No arrests had been reported as of Thursday.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
