Man Accused Of Attacking 3 Women With Hammer In Astoria
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A man has been arrested for allegedly attacking three women as they slept in a Queens apartment.
The incident occurred early Sunday morning at the Marine Terrace Apartments on 18th Street in Astoria.
Homeless Man Arrested For Attacking 3 Women With Hammer In Queens Apartment
Police said Lawrence Parsons, 29, slipped through an open window and then attacked the women with a hammer before ransacking the apartment, 1010 WINS' John Montone reported.
"He went with a hammer, caught the first victim while she was sleeping. She didn't even scream. The second he got in living room. Got her, went into bedroom and got third victim," neighbor David Martinez told CBS 2's John Slattery.
Dawn Picota, 31, was critically injured. Her mother, Ilene Picota, and Ilene's sister, Miriam Ozzimo, were all hit in the head and face, Brennan reported.
"One of them might be blind in the right eye. One of them lost an ear. The third needs cosmetic surgery," Martinez said.
Parsons, whom police located by surveillance video, had just completed a two-year prison term for attempted robbery, Brennan reported.
"He just came out of jail like three weeks ago. And now this? Now this," said neighbor Jessica Mora.
Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said he had a relationship or was known to one of the victims.
Many residents were shocked after hearing about the incident.
"When you hear about an entry through a window and a battering with a hammer it does tend to get you a little apprehensive, a little scared," one man said.
"It's unfortunate," another man said.
Parsons has been charged with attempted murder, assault, robbery, and burglary. He was ordered held on $100,000 bond.
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