STATEN ISLAND: A 28-year-old man participated in a brazen robbery where the victim was brutally beaten and robbed inside a home in Eltingville, authorities allege.
John Lopez of Westport Lane in New Springville stands accused in the incident that allegedly happened on July 25 around 9 a.m. inside a home in the vicinity of Cortelyou and Leverett avenues, according to the criminal complaint and police.
Lopez and another suspect who remains at large entered the home and punched a 27-year-old man in the face and head, causing the victim to fall to the ground, the complaint alleges. Lopez and his accomplice allegedly kicked the victim in the face, head and body.
The suspects removed the victim’s keys and wallet containing about $100 in cash, a credit card and identification from the kitchen counter, authorities allege.
The victim suffered serious physical injuries, including fractures on his face, three fractured teeth and lacerations on his gums, the complaint states.
The 27-year-old man was transported to Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze and ultimately lost two teeth, according to police.
Lopez, who was arrested on July 27, has been charged with robbery, burglary, assault, criminal trespass, petit larceny, criminal possession of stolen property and harassment.
The defendant, who stands about 5′7″ tall and weighs about 150 pounds, is free on $25,000 bail. He is due to appear in Criminal Court on Oct. 13, according to public records.
Attorney Mario Gallucci, who is defending Lopez, maintained his client’s innocence and called the allegations “a fictional narrative.”
PRIOR CONVICTION
Lopez admitted guilt in 2016 to a felony gun charge arising from an arrest the prior year. He was busted March 18, 2015, around 8 p.m. on Waterbury Avenue in Prince’s Bay where he lived at the time, according to Advance/SILive.com records and a criminal complaint.
Lopez was in possession of an illegal, loaded .22-caliber handgun, along with several bullets in an envelope, the complaint said.
Cops also found three oxycodone pills on Lopez, alleged the complaint.
Lopez, then 22, pleaded guilty in state Supreme Court, St. George, to a felony count of attempted second-degree criminal weapon possession to satisfy all charges against him.
By Staten Island Advance Staff [SILIVE]
