Parents On Alert After Student Robbed At Knifepoint In Queens Middle School Bathroom; 'How Does Somebody Get Past Security?'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are investigating a startling crime Queens. They said a teenager snuck into a junior high school and robbed an 11-year-old student at knifepoint.
Parents dropping their kids off at Robert A. Van Wyck Junior High School on 144th Street were on high alert Monday, CBS2's Natalie Duddridge reported.
"It gives me anxiety, having to drop my son to school and not knowing that he's safe, that it could've happened to him," said Gina Cepeda.
"It's scary because I do have an 11-year-old, and she's in the sixth grade," said another mother.
An email warned parents to be extra cautious after police said the suspect managed to get past school security Wednesday afternoon. Officials also released a sketch of the suspect.
Investigators said he pointed a knife at the student's chest and demanded money. The student said he didn't have any, so the suspect grabbed his water bottle and took off, police said.
The student was not physically hurt, but parents were unsure if he's returned to the school since.
"How does somebody get past security?" Cepeda said.
"I feel like they should do more safety precautions with IDs and stuff, and make sure they know who gets in the building," said Serenity Everett.
"There's not enough people to watch these kids," another mother said. "On every entrance and exit there should be somebody there."
School officials did not say how the suspect got inside the building. A spokesperson for the Department of Education told CBS2 safety agents responded quickly and the department was working with the NYPD to ensure the building's safety.
"Maybe the system is there, but you have to put in practice properly," said Ruel Biswas.
After the school bathroom robbery, according to police, the suspect approached a 51-year-old man on 149th Street and started to argue with him. The suspect allegedly pulled out a knife and tried to lunge at the man's throat. The man told police the suspect slashed at him and cut his jacket. He said the suspect threw a water bottle at him and took off.
Police obtained surveillance video of the suspect at Prideal Singh's deli on Parsons Boulevard that same day.
Singh said he asked to see identification when the suspect, dressed in all black, tried to buy beer. According to Singh, the suspect refused and called him names. The suspect allegedly removed his mask and spit in Singh's face.
Singh said he chased the suspect out of the store.
"In a few seconds, he came back again. He's like, 'Come outside.' I said, 'No,'" Singh told Duddridge.
The suspect is described as 5 feet, 2 inches tall and 110 pounds.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.