The last name tells me they were in or near Greenpoint, perhaps. Almost 30 years ago, I was visiting a family in Brooklyn, and their 12 year old boy was robbed of his new bike at knifepoint in an area between Williamsburg and Greenpoint. The area gentrified since then, but appears to be returning to default.
Far from Greenpoint. Just south of Prospect Park. I believe it’s a tough neighborhood.