By Jeff Lipton
So when he saw a bicyclist being attacked and robbed only blocks from his home early Sunday morning, Guttman said he had to act quickly. Guttman, an off-duty auxiliary police officer in Queens, put aside fears for his own safety, and sprang into action. He immediately halted the beating, and pulled out his shield and identification.
The suspects, possibly thinking that he may have been armed, immediately surrendered, he said. Guttman held the suspects until police arrived.
From what I understand, this guy was going home from work when these guys jumped him. I didn't look at what could have happened [to me], said the 34-year-old Guttman. Who knows what they could have done to me?
Here, this guy was being beat up in front of a big mansion. My instincts and my emotions just took over. I didn't even know how hurt he [the victim] was. I was just trying to do my best for that person.
The incident unfolded shortly after 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 28, when Guttman, a businessman in the city, was on his way back from Dunkin' Donuts on Burnside Avenue, where he bought a cup of coffee.
The good Samaritan said he saw two suspects allegedly assaulting the victim, a 45-year-old man who was riding home on his bicycle after finishing work. The victim was jumped at Lawrence Avenue and Central Avenue as the suspects tackled the man and knocked him off his bike, according to Det. James Hendry of the Fourth Squad. They demanded the victim's money and grabbed his wallet from his pocket, which contained less than $100 in cash, police said.
At that point, Guttman jumped out of his car, identified himself as an officer and showed his shield and ID card. Auxiliary officers do not carry weapons, so he was unarmed and did not know if the suspects had weapons in their possession when he confronted them. Auxiliary cops are allowed to carry handcuffs and can make arrests under certain circumstances.
He then called police and Fourth Precinct Police Officers John Lezamiz and Joseph Brady arrived to arrest the two suspects. A third suspect was found in a Toyota parked down the block from the scene, authorities said. Arrested and charged with robbery in the second degree were Michael Sancho, 20, of Grassmere Terrace in Far Rockaway, Christopher Sancho, 18, of Dean Street in Brooklyn and Eric Davis, 17, of Beach Channel Drive in Far Rockaway, police said. All three suspects were arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on July 28.
The victim suffered an injury to his leg and hip but he refused medical attention at the scene, police said.
He was limping, Guttman said of the victim.
I can't believe it actually happened, he added. Crime doesn't usually happen in this area.
He said he has been a member of the auxiliary police in Queens for about eight years because he lives on the Queens border and wants to help keep his area crime-free.
