3 Long Island Teens Accused Of Beating 52-Year-Old Woman
BRENTWOOD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Three teens have been arrested in connection with an attack on a 52-year-old woman in Brentwood earlier this month.
The victim, identified by family members as Ada Dinora Lachuga, was walking along MacArthur Avenue around 3 p.m. on March 7 when she was assaulted, 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera reported. The suspects punched Lachuga in the head, knocking her to the ground, and kicked her in the abdomen, police said.
"She was just walking and felt something on her head," the victim's sister, Alba Jaurez, told CBS 2's John Slattery. "Didn't know what happened. Didn't recognize him."
Lachuga was taken to Southside Hospital, where she was treated for a concussion and broken ribs. She has been unable to return to her work as a landscaper.
3 Long Island Teens Accused Of Beating 52-Year-Old Woman
Police on Monday charged Wilfredo Torres, 17, of Brentwood; Wayne Beavers, 16, of Bay Shore; and Qwatese Jarvis, 16, of Bay Shore, each with third-degree assault.
All three pleaded not guilty Tuesday, and their bail was each set at $1,000 cash or $3,000 bond.
Lachuga's family said they are relieved the teens were apprehended.
"She's very happy that they had caught the individuals," the victim's niece, Danielle Juarez, told Rivera. "She feels a little bit safer that it's not going to happen to somebody else."
Juarez, who believes her aunt was the victim of a "knockout game" attack, hopes the arrests send a message to others that attacking unsuspecting people isn't a game.
"They need to make an example out of them," Juarez said. "They can't just assault innocent people for no apparent reason, you know, just for fun."
There was no altercation prior to the attack, and nothing was stolen from the victim, police said.
Omar Almanzar, Torres' court-appointed defense attorney, quoting from the complaint, said two of the defendants allegedly said they "mushed" a person.
"There's no use of the word 'punch,' 'strike' or 'hit,'" Almanzar said.
The mother of one of the teens offered an apology to Lachuga.
"I just want to apologize to the family of the victim, or whatever, you know," Priscila Silver told Slattery.
Alba Juarez said is planning to organize a community meeting against "knockout game" attacks.
"We're going to fight back," she said.
The teens are due back in court on March 25.
You May Also Be Interested In These Stories:
