On April 7, a grave incident occurred at the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Briarwood, Queens. A 68-year-old woman named Irene Tahliambouris was ruthlessly pushed down the church steps by a young boy. The teen not only assaulted the elderly woman but also stole her purse. This heinous act was caught on the church’s surveillance camera.
The accused is a 16-year-old boy named Jayvaun Prince. He was arrested and taken into custody on April 11. However, the story took an unexpected turn when Jayvaun attempted to take his own life the next day while in the NYPD’s 107th Precinct stationhouse.
On the fateful day of April 12, Jayvaun tried to end his life by wrapping his shirt around his neck. He was found in time and hastily taken to the hospital. While he suffered no severe physical injuries, the incident raised concerns about his mental state.
Tahliambouris, the victim of this brutal mugging, was severely injured and is currently in critical condition. The incident has left the community shocked and worried about the safety of its members, particularly the elderly.
Further investigation into Jayvaun’s past revealed another robbery he committed on April 4. He allegedly robbed a woman inside a Jamaica, Queens, apartment building and then escaped in her car. This previous offense suggests a pattern of criminal behavior.
Jayvaun is scheduled to be arraigned in the youth part of Queens Criminal Court. He faces charges including robbery and grand larceny for the April 7 incident.
Queens DA Melinda Katz expressed her shock and concern over the incident. She acknowledged the severity of the robbery at the church and praised the NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny and the entire Detective Bureau for their relentless work.
As we grapple with the aftermath of this tragic incident, it’s important to remember the broader issues at play. We need to address the root causes of such behaviors and provide support to those who need it. Only then can we hope to prevent such incidents in the future.
“As alleged, he chose to rob an elderly woman by first pushing her down the stairs and then proceeded to take her purse and leave her to suffer while he took off in her car. He will now have to answer for the serious charges levied against him by my Office.” – Queens DA Melinda Katz
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or experiencing a mental health crisis in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. For those living outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.