New York Criminal Lawyer Blog
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) finally arrested Mark McIntosh and charged him with three counts of Grand Larceny, three counts of Robbery, and one count of Resisting Arrest. McIntosh allegedly snatched purses from six women standing on subway platforms throughout New York City including Manhattan and Brooklyn. Not only was McIntosh brazen enough to grab the purses during rush hour, he often fled into the subway tunnels to escape.
According to the NYPD and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, McIntosh often stayed at a homeless shelter in Manhattan’s East Village. Not only was McIntosh identified in lineups, McIntosh apparently did something that any person accused a crime should not do…he made incriminating statements.
This case raises a few interesting issues and lessons (not including the obvious…secure your personal belongings while on the subway!). First, if you are arrested of a crime do not speak to the police. Immediately ask for an attorney. Second, there is often a fine line between Grand Larceny from the person and Robbery. In short, Robbery requires force and can be elevated significantly if, among other things, an injury occurs or a weapon is used. Grand Larceny, on the other hand, is the taking of property from another’s person without any force or injury. To the accused, however, the big difference is not the actual definitions of the crime. While a conviction for Grand Larceny could be a sentence of up to four years in state prison a conviction for the lowest degree of Robbery is a seven year sentence in state prison. The highest degree of Robbery, Robbery in the First Degree, is punishable by up to twenty five years state prison.
If you or a loved one is charged with any of these types of crimes you should seek immediate assistance from an experienced criminal defense attorney.