Three hurt
in Midtown
gunfi ght
BY DEAN MOSES
Two men have been locked up
after a brazen gunfi ght erupted
during a Midtown party late on
Tuesday night, leaving three people
injured, police reported.
Several 911 calls alerted the NYPD
to a shootout outside 38 West 38th St.
at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Nov.
16. Multiple units raced to the scene
where two injured men were discovered
slumped on the street before a third
man was found wounded at a bus stop
on Madison Avenue.
Law enforcement sources said the
gunfire erupted when the alleged
shooter got into an altercation with
the victims during the party inside the
location. The argument then spilled out
onto the street, leading to the exchange
of bullets.
Armed officers secure the scene with tape.
All three men were hit with at least
one bullet. Injuries included a gunshot
wound to the right side of one man’s
chest, while the other two victims were
caught in the abdomen and the left leg
respectively.
The injured men were transported
to Bellevue Hospital where two are
said to be in stable condition and one
is critical.
PHOTO BY DEAN MOSES
Authorities said two suspects were
taken into custody at the scene. These
individuals were apparently known to
police, and initial fi ndings indicated
that the shootout appeared to be gangrelated,
according to a source close to
the investigation.
At least three handguns were recovered,
police sources said. The investigation
is ongoing.
Homeless man cuffed in Chinatown
for violent Central Park rape: NYPD
BY ROBERT POZARYCKI
A homeless man was ordered
held without bail after being
charged for violently raping a
jogger in Central Park last week, police
announced.
Detectives picked up Paulie Velez,
25, on Nov. 13 within the confi nes of
the 5th Precinct, based in Chinatown,
thanks to the help of an anonymous tip,
WABC-TV reported.
Velez is accused of choking out and
raping a 27-year-old woman as she ran
through Central Park, near Swan Lake
and Central Drive, at about 7:20 a.m.
on Nov. 11.
The shocking incident spurred a massive
NYPD investigation, and in recent
days, police released numerous videos
of the suspected rapist in the vicinity of
Central Park before and after the crime
took place.
Law enforcement sources said Velez
allegedly ambushed the woman from
behind and proceeded to choke her,
causing her to briefl y lose consciousness.
He sexually assaulted the victim,
then fl ed the scene in an unknown
Detectives arrested the suspect (inset) in a Nov. 11 rape in Central Park,
identified as Paulie Velez.
direction.
Following the attack, police reported,
the victim sought help from
a bystander, who called 911. She was
brought to a local hospital for treatment
of various injuries not considered
life-threatening.
PHOTO BY DEAN MOSES/INSET COURTESY OF NYPD
Velez faces charges of rape, robbery,
strangulation, assault, sex abuse and
criminal possession of stolen property.
Court records indicated that Velez
was remanded into custody during his
Nov. 13 arraignment; he’s due back in
court on Nov. 19.
Mob of men
brutally
stab senior
in Midtown
mugging
BY ROBERT POZARYCKI
Disturbing video that police released
shows a band of brutes violently attacking
and stabbing a 62-year-old man as
he walked through Midtown last week.
Authorities said the brutal beatdown happened
at about 5:37 a.m. on Nov. 10 in front
of 315 West 44th St., next door to the Birdland
Jazz Club.
As shown on the video, the fi rst attacker, an
unidentifi ed man, approached the victim from
behind, shouted “What are you looking at?” and
struck him in the back with a pipe, knocking the
victim to the sidewalk.
Seconds later, six other male attackers ran
up and savagely attacked the fallen victim. During
the beatdown, cops said, they stabbed and
slashed the man numerous times about the body.
The footage shows the attack, as well as additional
video of the suspects taken moments
before the assault.
Following the attack, cops said, the pack of
perpetrators ran off — leaving the victim bloodied
about his head, nose and body.
The incident was reported to the Midtown
South Precinct. EMS rushed the man to Bellevue
Hospital in critical condition, though his
condition later stabilized.
Anyone with information regarding the assault
or the suspects’ whereabouts can call
Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish,
dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips
online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on
Twitter @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are
kept confi dential.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF NYPD
Images of several suspects involved in
a violent Nov. 10 beating on a Midtown
street.
6 Noovveembbeerr 1188,, 22002211 Schneps Media
/crimestoppers.nypdonline.org
