Tough Guy Charged with Mugging Women

Thug beat mother in front of her child

BRONX, NEW YORK, July 19- District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced the arrest and indictment of a 32-year-old Bronx man in connection with a series of four armed robberies of young women within a two-week period at the end of May and beginning of June 2012. The last of the victims was cornered and beaten as she held the hand of her three year old daughter.

Pedro Gomez, of University Avenue, was arraigned before State Supreme Court Justice Margaret Clancy after being returned to the Bronx Wednesday night following his arrest in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Gomez, who waived extradition, was ordered held without bail.

The grand jury indicted Gomez on three counts of robbery in the first degree, four counts of robbery in the third degree, six counts of grand larceny in the fourth degree, four counts of petit larceny, two counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, four counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree, three counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, three counts of menacing in the second degree, endangering the welfare of a child, and one count of attempted assault in the third degree. The most serious charge, robbery in the first degree, a Class B felony offense, is punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 25 years imprisonment on each count.

The charges in this indictment are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The string of robberies in this case began on May 25, 2012 at approximately 9:30 p.m. when Gomez allegedly followed a 19-year-old woman into an apartment building on Grand Avenue and accosted her on a third floor landing. Gomez is accused of placing a sharp object against the woman’s chest and ordered her to turn over her money. He allegedly fled with $4.

The next day, on May 26, 2012 at approximately 1:20 in the afternoon, Gomez allegedly followed a 27-year-old woman into a building on University Avenue and ordered her to remove an ankle bracelet and earrings. It is alleged that Gomez demanded the valuables after placing a sharp object on the victim’s stomach.

The third incident occurred on June 2, 2012 at about 3:15 in the afternoon in an elevator in a building on Jerome Avenue. The defendant was already on the elevator when a 32-year-old woman got on. When the elevator stopped on the third floor, Gomez allegedly grabbed the woman from behind as she was exiting and placed a sharp object on her neck before fleeing with her purse which contained approximately $1,500 in cash.

A week later on June 9, 2012 Gomez allegedly robbed a 25-year-old mother who was on an elevator with her three-year-old daughter. The incident occurred shortly before noon in a building on Sheridan Avenue. When the victim attempted to leave the elevator, Gomez allegedly pushed her back inside, hit her, and covered her mouth with his hand. He allegedly grabbed her purse and ripped a gold necklace off her neck before fleeing.

Detectives retrieved a security video recording of the last incident which the NYPD released to the news media. As a result police received information which led investigators to a location in Philadelphia where the defendant was arrested.

Assistant District Attorney Debra Guarnieri of the Trial Division is prosecuting the case.