NEW YORK CITY — A 40-year-old man has been sentenced to prison after attacking two men in separate incidents at a Midtown deli and subway station back in 2024, prosecutors announced.
Christopher Velarde was sentenced to 18 years in state prison after being found guilty on robbery and assault charges.
Velarde is accused of attacking two men on May 4, 2024. In the first incident around 1:26 a.m., the suspect entered a deli at 48 West 48th Street and threw a 44-year-old victim to the ground, stomping on his head several times, prosecutors said.
Witnesses stepped in to stop Velarde who made off with the man's backpack and fled the scene.
Minutes later, Velarde entered the 49th Street subway station, where he walked up to a 22-year-old man and punched him in the face several times. The suspect threw him to the ground, where he continued to punch the victim.
The first victim suffered bruising, multiple fractures and a laceration to his face, and a broken front tooth. He underwent facial reconstruction surgery as a result of the injuries, prosecutors said.
The second victim suffered a concussion, received multiple stitches for his lip and underwent surgery for a fractured jaw, which had to be wired shut.
“Christopher Velarde committed vicious, unprovoked attacks against two complete strangers in the span of minutes,” District Attorney Alvin Bragg said. “Both victims were significantly injured by this violence, requiring hospitalization and extensive surgeries, in addition to emotional trauma. Manhattanites deserve to be safe both above and below ground, and I hope the resolution of this case provides a sense of justice to the victims and their loved ones.”
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