Gioia Honors Queens Robbery Squad
City Councilmember Eric Gioia (c.) stands with officers of the Queens Robbery Squad, including Detective Chris Alger, who was responsible for the arrest of the mugger who violently attacked two elderly Queens women earlier this year.

This past March, Rose Morat, age 101, was punched and mugged in her building lobby on her way to church. Solange Elizee, age 85, was beaten and mugged the same day in the elevator of her building.

These vicious crimes were caught on tape and provoked widespread outrage against the cowardly attacker. The Queens Robbery Squad apprehended the perpetrator, 44- year-old Jack Rhodes of Long Island City, and he has been indicted for six counts of robbery and seven counts of burglary, among other charges.

On August 22, City Councilmember Eric Gioia (D-Long island City) honored the members of the Queens Robbery Squad for their excellent work with a proclamation presented at City Hall. "These fine officers have served our city well in freeing the streets of such a despicable criminal," Gioia said. "Thanks to their good work, we can all rest a little easier, knowing that our mothers and grandmothers will not be preyed upon by this cowardly assailant."