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Armless wheelchair-bound robbery victim says NYC ‘is not what it used to be’
nypost.com ^ | November 14, 2022 | Jack Morphet, Joe Marino and Jorge Fitz-Gibbon

Posted on 11/16/2022 5:23:57 AM PST by lowbridge

An armless Manhattan panhandler who was choked and robbed as he sat in his wheelchair outside Bergdorf Goodman sadly told The Post on Monday, “The American dream is over.”

Frankie Martinez, 40, said he’s been panhandling outside the posh store for five years and never had an issue until a cowardly crook attacked him and took his phone Wednesday.

“This city is not what it used to be,” said Martinez, who is without arms and most of his legs. “There are not enough police on the street. There should be more police patrolling the street so we can feel safe again.

“I don’t see a good future for this country right now,” he said. “The American dream is over. Everyone in this country is just trying to make money however they can. It’s chaos.”

Martinez, who lives in The Bronx but also splits time in his native Dominican Republic, was at his usual panhandling spot on Fifth Avenue — where he is a well-liked fixture — when the brute came up to him and attacked him.

“The man came up to me, pointed his finger into my throat and start choking me,” he said. “He attacked me suddenly. A man buying a hot dog ran over to help. That’s when the attacker pulled out a knife. Then he ran away with my phone.

“I said, ‘Take whatever you want, I don’t want to fight.’ The man said if I try to do anything, he will kill me,” Martinez said.

According to a police source, the cruel suspect threatened Martinez, warning him, “I just got out of jail — I will kill you right now.”

Police have since released surveillance photos of the robber, who remains on the loose.

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; News/Current Events; US: New York
KEYWORDS: newyork; nyc

1 posted on 11/16/2022 5:23:57 AM PST by lowbridge
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To: lowbridge
"Martinez, who is without arms and most of his legs." wut?
2 posted on 11/16/2022 5:29:14 AM PST by n230099 ("When no one knows who is armed...everyone is.")
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To: lowbridge
Panhandler: "The American Dream..."


3 posted on 11/16/2022 5:30:15 AM PST by Sirius Lee (They intend to murder us. Prep if you want to live and live like you are prepping for eternal life)
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To: lowbridge

What do you call a man with no arms and legs?
Bob.


4 posted on 11/16/2022 5:34:59 AM PST by Jonty30 (Some men want to see the world burn. It is they that want you to buy an ele, ctric car.)
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To: lowbridge

....but at least the police paperwork will be gender neutral.....


5 posted on 11/16/2022 5:43:09 AM PST by wny
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To: Jonty30

You screwed up the joke. It’s “What do you call a man with no arms or legs in a swimming pool? Bob.”


6 posted on 11/16/2022 5:44:57 AM PST by Blood of Tyrants (Inside every leftist is a blood-thirsty fascist yearning to be free of current societal constraints.)
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To: lowbridge

Just got out of jail, with no bond probably.


7 posted on 11/16/2022 5:45:49 AM PST by Blood of Tyrants (Inside every leftist is a blood-thirsty fascist yearning to be free of current societal constraints.)
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To: Blood of Tyrants

I had to adapt, because he had legs.
Non-functional, so he’d still be bobbing along.


8 posted on 11/16/2022 5:47:08 AM PST by Jonty30 (Some men want to see the world burn. It is they that want you to buy an ele, ctric car.)
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To: Jonty30

What do you call a man with no arms and legs in a pile of leaves?
Russell.

Sorry couldn’t resist. Way too much coffee.


9 posted on 11/16/2022 5:47:38 AM PST by OHPatriot (Si vis pacem, para bellum)
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To: lowbridge

RE: This city is not what it used to be,” said Martinez, who is without arms and most of his legs. “There are not enough police on the street. There should be more police patrolling the street so we can feel safe again.

Errr… why should they be patrolling the streets when :

1. Arresting a perp only results in their getting hurt and the perp being released in a day because of cashless bail?

2. Being sued for police brutality when they try to arrest a perp who fights back

3. Getting almost NO SUPPORT from politicians and being presumed racist when they try to do their job

4. Their ranks being depleted because of defunding and mass resignations


10 posted on 11/16/2022 6:56:48 AM PST by SeekAndFind
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One wonders how he operates his phone


11 posted on 11/16/2022 6:58:17 AM PST by fluorescence
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To: fluorescence

Stick held in teeth? Held in shoulder brace?

Voice commands?

I’m interested in how a foreign born panhandler makes enough money to live in a very expensive city, and to fly home?

Citizenship, immigration status, how and where the injury occurred, taxpayer support?

Maybe we could support him in Dominican Republic, weather is nicer, cost of living lower.

Maybe he’s completely legit, US citizen.

And someone who.would rob a limbless man, and choke him, is lower than dirt, and ought to be in jail a long time.

But lax immigration and lax criminal policies have the same roots.


12 posted on 11/16/2022 7:08:14 AM PST by heartwood (Someone has to play devil's advocate.)
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To: fluorescence

Belatedly reading article, we learn, the answer is toes.

The answer to my question is, born that way.


13 posted on 11/16/2022 7:12:06 AM PST by heartwood (Someone has to play devil's advocate.)
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