Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the indictment of CHRISTIAN TORRES, 45, for attempting to rob a 91-year-old man and shoving him to the ground on the Upper East Side in February 2024. TORRES is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Assault in the First Degree, one count of An Attempt to Commit the Crime of Robbery in the First Degree, and one count of Assault in the Second Degree. [1]
“Christian Torres allegedly assaulted and attempted to rob a 91-year-old New Yorker who was walking home with his groceries last month. My thoughts are with the victim, who is still suffering from the pain caused by this attack,” said District Attorney Bragg. “We take attacks on older members of our community very seriously, and no one should have to fear for their safety when walking in Manhattan.”
According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, 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 shoved the victim to the ground before fleeing towards 2nd Avenue.
The 91-year-old man suffered from 6 broken ribs and a hematoma to his liver as a result of this attack and 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. He is still in recovery.
TORRES was arrested on February 11, 2024, by Transit District 4 police officers who recognized him from a wanted flyer.
Assistant D.A. Ellina Cunningham (Trial Bureau 30) is 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).
D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, specifically Officer Vincent Ching of the 19th Precinct Detective Squad and members of Transit District 4.
Defendant Information:
CHRISTIAN TORRES
New York, NY
Charged:
- 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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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.