A Yonkers man allegedly confessed to posing as a livery cab driver and assaulting a family outside of the former Pan American Hotel.
File photo
A Yonkers man remained on Rikers Island this week after allegedly confessing to attacking an Elmhurst mother and her three small children last Sunday in an incident that was captured on jarring surveillance camera footage.
Pedro Vargas, 48, has been charged with third-degree assault, endangering the welfare of a child and operating a vehicle for hire without having the proper license. His bail was set at $3,500 or $7,500 bond.
According to the criminal complaint, Vargas, posing as a livery cab driver, picked up the 26-year-old woman and her kids in Manhattan and drove them to the Pan American Hotel on Queens Boulevard, the mother’s requested destination. Upon arrival at the rear of the building, Vargas and the woman got into a dispute, though the complaint does not indicate what sparked the disagreement. Vargas allegedly reached into the backseat, dragged the 3-year-old daughter by her arm out of the car and tossed her onto the pavement; he then swung his elbow into the 5-year-old girl, knocking her to the ground; and then, while struggling with the children’s mother as she held her 1-year-old child, caused the child to be dislodged from the mother’s arms and fall to the sidewalk.
Vargas then, according to the complaint, “crawled into the driver seat through the passenger door and drove away with the car door still open, thus striking [the youngest child] with the car door causing her to sustain swelling and an abrasion to her face and substantial pain.” The complaint also states that “the actions of [Vargas] were injurious to the physical, mental and moral welfare of the children.”
Queens Special Victims Squad Det. James Ropenus indicated that Vargas was shown the footage and confirmed that it was him on the tape. Vargas’ attorney did not return numerous calls seeking comment.
Vargas’ next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 12.
By Michael Cusenza
