72-year-old Queens man clinging to life after post-robbery sucker punch
ELMHURST, Queens (WABC) -- A 72-year-old Queens man is clinging to life after he was sucker-punched following a cell phone robbery.
The incident happened around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, September, 28, on Hillside Avenue near 167th Street in Jamaica.
Mohammad Alam was talking on his cell phone when police say a young man grabbed it from his ear and fled on foot heading westbound on Hillside Avenue. Alam gave chase, but as he ran down the sidwalk, authorities say a second teenager punched him in the side of the head. The harrowing assault was caught on surveillance camera.
Alam sustained a contusion to the head and was transported to Elmhurst Hospital Center, where he is currently listed in critical condition and requires a breathing tube.
His family says his condition is worsening and that his brain suffered a hemorrhage. He remains in a coma.
The father of two has a disabled wife and was her caregiver, and relatives say he moved here from Bangladesh a few years ago to have access to better medical care.
Police later arrested 16-year-old Shyquan Kimble and 16-year-old Jaleel Steele, both of Queens. They are charged with robbery and assault, but it is possible charges will be upgraded.
