Assault and Robbery Incident in Ozone Park
A 45-year-old Brooklyn resident faces up to 25 years in prison following charges of assault and reckless endangerment. Authorities allege that Jonathan Velez punched his 39-year-old cousin, Manuel Rivera, rendering him unconscious in a Queens street, where a passing vehicle struck and severely injured him.
The incident occurred around 4:27 a.m. on August 2 near Rockaway Boulevard in Ozone Park. Velez and Rivera had attended a birthday party in Manhattan, with Velez driving Rivera’s vehicle. An argument escalated into violence when Velez struck Rivera, knocking him to the pavement.
Details of the Attack and Aftermath
After the assault, Velez reportedly searched through Rivera’s pockets and the car before fleeing the scene, abandoning his cousin in the roadway. Moments later, a driver ran over the unconscious Rivera, who emergency services rushed to a nearby hospital. Medical reports indicate Rivera arrived unresponsive, with internal bleeding, a fractured skull, and multiple lost teeth.
Six months after the event, Rivera continues to recover from his extensive injuries. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz described the case, stating, “The defendant allegedly delivered a knockout punch to his own cousin and then searched the unconscious man’s pockets and car before leaving him in the middle of Rockaway Boulevard. The victim was later struck by a passing vehicle and remains hospitalized with severe injuries. Our thoughts are with the victim and his family during his recovery from this brutal act.”
Arrest and Court Proceedings
Police arrested Velez on Wednesday in Kew Gardens, Queens. During his arraignment in Queens Supreme Court that day, Judge Toni Cimino ordered him held without bail.
