JAMAICA, Queens, New York – A 16-year-old suspect is facing charges for robbing and assaulting a senior citizen outside a church in Queens. The incident, captured on video, shows the teenager shoving the 68-year-old woman down the stairs of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Jamaica Hills during a violent mugging. The victim, Irene Tahliambouris, suffered a fractured skull and black eye from the attack but is currently in stable condition in the ICU.
The teenage suspect, who has been arrested nine times in Queens as an adolescent offender since August 2023, was apprehended on charges including robbery, assault, grand larceny, and criminal possession of stolen property. Despite being arraigned as an adult, the Queens District Attorneys Office has chosen not to disclose his identity due to his age.
Following the assault, the suspect stole Tahliambouris’ purse, car keys, and cellphone, as well as her 2006 Nissan Altima. The stolen vehicle was recovered by the police about 3.5 miles away from the church, with a fingerprint being lifted from it. The victim’s family expressed their dismay at the leniency of the legal system towards such crimes against vulnerable individuals.
Father Konstantions Kalogridis and parishioners at the church expressed relief upon learning that a suspect was in custody. The attack has sent shockwaves through the Greek community in Queens, causing concerns about safety and the repercussions of such violent incidents.
The victim’s family reported that she is showing signs of improvement and hope for her discharge from the hospital soon. Meanwhile, the teenager is under investigation for other neighborhood crimes, including an attempted robbery of an elderly person and an unrelated incident involving the theft of another woman’s car.
The incident has underscored the need for enhanced safety measures and vigilance in the community, with residents voicing their concerns about rising crime rates and a call for action from local authorities. As the case unfolds, the focus remains on supporting the victim in her recovery and ensuring justice is served for the violent attack that took place outside the church in Queens.