By Jeff Lipton
The woman, whose identity was not released by police, suffered multiple skull fractures and internal bleeding, said officials, who added that she has been released from the hospital.
The robbery and attack occurred on the southwest corner of Front Street and North Village Avenue at 7:09 p.m. on Oct. 24, police said. The woman was holding a cell phone when a teenage boy wielding a beige baseball bat approached her and demanded that she hand over the phone. After she complied, he struck her in the head with the bat, knocking her to the ground, police said.
The teen escaped in a dark Chevrolet Malibu, which police believe was being driven by an accomplice. The getaway car was last seen heading east on Front Street, police said.
A passerby who witnessed the attack called 911, and the victim, who police said remained conscious and alert, was transported to a local hospital by a Rockville Centre Fire Department ambulance.
Detectives said they are investigating whether the woman was targeted or the victim of a random attack. "A number of my detectives are out there investigating the case, doing interviews, canvassing the area and searching for any witnesses," said 1st Squad Detective Sgt. John DeMartinis.
DeMartinis said the robber focused only on the woman's cell phone, and it is unclear why he struck her with the bat, since she did not resist his demands. For now, DeMartinis has ruled out the possibility that the attack was part of some sort of gang initiation. "It appears to be a robbery, since he took her cell phone," he said. "We have no reason to believe that any gangs were involved at this point."
But the victim's mother, during a phone interview, said "I don't know why anyone would do this. It was just a stupid, random kind of gang initiation." She added that her daughter was carrying a handbag with money inside as well as a shopping bag but the robber did not take those things from her.
Asked whether she now fears leaving the house, the victim said, "I think I have the same fears as anyone else would. I'm not going to stop my life because of this." She added, "I'm doing 'so so' and I'm getting better. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time."
The robber was described as a Hispanic male, 16 to 18 years old, 5 feet 7 and with a medium to large build, police said. He also is said to have a black crew cut, and was wearing a white, zippered sweatshirt with black print on the front. "We believe he jumped out of a car," said DeMartinis. "We know there was a driver and at least one active participant."
Anyone with information on the incident is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential, police said.
Comments about this story? JLipton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
