NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A 14-year-old boy with autism was beaten and robbed of $4 by two men in lower Manhattan in a disturbing daytime attack that was captured on video, police said.
The boy was walking near 90 Lafayette St. around 11:30 a.m. Friday when one of the men held him up against a scaffolding pole while the second man stole his belongings, according to police.
The men struck the boy in the face repeatedly during the robbery, police said.
NYPD
The boy screamed for help but no one in the area intervened, police told the New York Post. Video shows the boy struggling to get away from his attackers before eventually breaking loose and running away.
The suspects stole the boy's jacket and his shoulder bag that had his cellphone and a wallet with $4, police said.
The boy was taken to Presbyterian Downtown Hospital with minor injuries, police said.
The two men ran away down Lafayette Avenue after the attack.
One of the suspects, 35-year-old Charles Destefano of Manhattan, was arrested Friday afternoon and charged with robbery, police said.
The NYPD released surveillance video of the attack Sunday as they continue to search for the second suspect, who they described as a bearded man in a black, hooded coat.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
🚨WANTED for ROBBERY: On 11/13/20 at approx 11:30 AM, in front of 90 Lafayette St in Manhattan, a male held a 14-year-old against a scaffolding pole while another male removed his property while punching him repeatedly. Any info, call or DM @NYPDTips at 800-577-TIPS. pic.twitter.com/I2jY0BnIdu
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) November 15, 2020
