16-Year-Old Charged With Hate Crime After Attack In Flushing: DA

QUEENS — A teenager from Corona was charged with assault as a hate crime after he and five others attacked and robbed a Jewish man in Flushing Meadows Corona Park last month, prosecutors said.

The 16-year-old was also charged after he yelled anti-Semitic slurs at the 48-year-old Jewish man, Sam Levy, while the group attacked him on Feb. 19 at the roundabout of the park about 8:25 p.m., Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said Friday.

The teen is being held without bail, prosecutors said.

The minor and about five others cornered Levy at the roundabout, where they struck him in the head and knocked him to the ground as they demanded money, Katz said.

The group kicked him in the head, face, and torso before Levy handed them $200 and his wallet that contained credit cards and identification, the district attorney said.

The attackers also took Levy’s house and car keys from his pants pocket as the 16-year-old yelled anti-Semitic slurs at Levy, and then the group fled, prosecutors said.

The 48-year-old was taken to a local hospital, and he sustained bruised ribs, bruising
and swelling to his left eye, Katz said.

Footage at a Burger King near the park showed the 16-year-old and three other people using Levy’s credit cards at a kiosk three hours after the attack, the district attorney said.