Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the trial conviction of CHRISTIAN TORRES, 45, for attempting to rob a 91-year-old man of his wallet, and forcefully shoving him to the ground and punching him on the Upper East Side in February 2024. On June 10, 2025, a New York State Supreme Court jury found TORRES guilty on all counts, including Assault in the First Degree, Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, and Assault in the Second Degree. TORRES is expected to be sentenced on June 26, 2025.
“A jury of his peers found Christian Torres guilty of violently assaulting a 91-year-old man who was walking home with groceries in an unprovoked attack,” said District Attorney Bragg. “I hope this conviction sends a message that those who assault older New Yorkers will be held accountable. I thank the jury for its service, and our prosecutors for their hard work securing this all-count conviction.”
As proven at trial, on February 1, 2024, at approximately 10:25 p.m., a 91-year-old man was walking home with groceries from a fruit-stand vendor located on the corner of 2nd Ave and East 86th Street. As the victim approached First Avenue, TORRES attempted to grab his wallet, and then forcefully shoved the victim to the ground and punched him before fleeing towards Second Avenue.
The attack fractured five of the man’s ribs and caused a hematoma to his liver. He was treated at Mt. Sinai Morningside Hospital for a week before being transferred to Amsterdam Nursing Home, a rehab facility. He spent almost a month there before being discharged to his home. To this day, his mobility is severely limited and he still experiences lingering rib pain.
TORRES was arrested on February 11, 2024, by Transit District 4 police officers who recognized him from a wanted flyer.
Assistant D.A.s Ellina Cunningham (Trial Bureau 30) and Robert Saylor (Trial Bureau 30) are handling the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Elizabeth Clerkin (Trial Bureau 30), Bureau Chief Erin Tierney (Trial Bureau 30), Unit Chief Jeanine Launay (Elder Abuse Unit) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Senior Investigative Analyst Eli Horton, Trial Preparation Assistant Caroline Schwanewede and former Trial Preparation Assistant Louise Wang also provided valuable assistance in this case.
D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, specifically Sergeant Vincent Ching formerly of the 19th Precinct Detective Squad, presently at the 121st Precinct, and members of Transit District 4.
Defendant Information:
CHRISTIAN TORRES
New York, NY
Convicted:
- Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
- An Attempt to Commit the Crime of Robbery in the First Degree, a class C felony, one count
- Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, one count
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