87-Year-Old Queens Man Punched, Robbed of Cell Phone Inside His Own Building, NYPD Says

Slugged for Cell Phone - Senior Not Safe in Own Home 

By Staff Reporter 

Manhattan Voice 

January 30, 2026

QUEENS, NY - An 87-year-old Queens man was violently robbed inside his own building Monday afternoon, raising fresh concerns about senior safety and building security in the neighborhood.

According to the NYPD, the incident occurred on Monday, December 8, 2025, at approximately 3:20 p.m., inside a residential building near Bowne Street and Holly Avenue within the confines of the 109th Precinct.

Police say the elderly victim was entering the building when he was suddenly approached by an unidentified man. Without warning, the suspect punched the victim in the face, shoved him to the ground, and forcibly stole his cell phone before fleeing the scene.

The suspect was last seen running northbound on Bowne Street, and remains at large.

The victim suffered lacerations to his face and tongue as a result of the attack. 

Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported him to Flushing Hospital Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition, police said.

Neighbors expressed shock that such a violent robbery could occur inside a residential building, a place many seniors consider their safest space.

The NYPD is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the individual responsible. The suspect is described as a male between the ages of 40 and 50. He has a medium complexion and a medium build.

Authorities have released images connected to the investigation and are urging anyone who recognizes the individual or has information about the robbery to come forward.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns about robberies targeting elderly residents in Queens, particularly crimes involving cell phone thefts and unprovoked assaults. 

Law enforcement officials continue to remind seniors to remain vigilant and encourage families to check in regularly with older relatives.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on X @NYPDTips. 

All calls are confidential.