PHOTO: Victim Aron Aranbayev. Photo Courtesy of Rafaello and Co. Jewelers
A Metropolitan Transportation Authority train operator remained on Rikers Island this week following his arraignment on murder and other charges in the hit-and-run death of a Manhattan jeweler to the stars who was killed on July 19 following an argument in front of the victim’s Forest Hills home, according to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.
Charles Jordan, 46, of Valley Stream, Long Island, was arraigned last Thursday on charges of second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting a death and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. According to the Department of Correction, bail was set at $500,000 cash or bond.
According to the charges, Jordan was driving a Dodge Magnum on 71st Avenue in Forest around 11 p.m. on July 19. The victim, Aron “Eric” Aranbayev, 40, a married father of four young children, was stepping out of a vehicle that was dropping him off near his home when Jordan drove up and got into a heated argument with Aranbayev. Following the alleged exchange of words, Jordan allegedly put his car in reverse and backed up, then changed gears again back to drive, accelerated and intentionally slammed into the victim. Jordan allegedly sped away from the scene without stopping. He was picked up by cops last Thursday morning.
Brown called it “a senseless, violent death.”
“[Aranbayev] didn’t have a chance,” Brown added. “He was allegedly brutally rammed by a 1,000-plus pound, high-speed vehicle that violently threw him to the ground. The victim hit his head and succumbed to his injuries.”
If convicted, Jordan faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
By Michael V. Cusenza
michael@theforumnewsgroup.com
