Queens Criminal Court Justice Donna Golia set bail at $175,000 cash and $300,000 bond for the man who beat and robbed a blind senior citizen at his Long Island City apartment at the end of June and then again on July 9.
Ronald Rhodes, 46, of Bushwick, Brooklyn was arraigned last week and charged with first- and second-degree burglary, second- and third-degree robbery, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation and fourth degree criminal mischief in the victimization of 73-year-old William Brandon, twice, in less than two weeks.
Ronald Rhodes is caught on video surveillance footage at the Queensbridge Houses, where William Bradon,
a 73-year-old blind man was attacked and robbed twice at his apartment complex. NYPD Photo
The construction worker allegedly targeted his victim because he felt that because the man was blind, it would be hard to make identification. But video surveillance in place at the public housing development where he lived, recorded the defendant’s criminal actions.
According to the first of two complaints, on the morning of June 29th the victim, William Brandon, was inside his apartment at the Queensbridge Houses in Long Island City, when he was approached by an individual from behind who ripped the chain off his neck and fled the scene. The second incident came 10 days later on July 9th when Brandon was attacked again as he stood at his apartment door, trying to open it. This time the robber placed his hands over Brandon’s mouth and pushed him inside the apartment. Once inside, he put his hands around Brandon’s neck and applied enough pressure to cause the senior to collapse and lose consciousness. When he came to, Brandon says, his cell phone, wallet, cash and keys, were all missing and that the lock to his closet had been broken.
“The victim in this case was a 73-year-old blind man whom the defendant allegedly preyed upon because of his disability…now he faces the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence.” District Attorney Brown said.
And now because of Queensbridge Houses’ video surveillance, police have footage showing a male individual with denim shorts and a black shirt walking in the same direction as Mr. Brandon and following him into the building and through the lobby. Footage from inside the elevator that day shows Mr. Brandon exiting at his floor and the male with denim shorts and a black shirt standing outside the elevator as the doors opened.
Police sources say that while Rhodes was being questioned, he allegedly admitted to following Mr. Brandon into the building, entering the apartment behind him and taking the chain from around his neck. He said he sold Mr. Brandon’s chain in Brooklyn for $50 cash and five bags of heroin. He told authorities he had been waiting for Brandon, put his hand over the man’s mouth and pushed him inside where he choked him and robbed him after he went unconscious.
He is scheduled to return to court on August 5, 2013 and if convicted, faces up to 25 years in prison.
