CORONA — Three Brooklyn men have been charged with robbery and assault after they punched and robbed a man right in front of police dressed in regular clothing, police said.
The plainclothes police were on patrol on 37th Avenue near 101st Street just before 2 a.m. Nov. 26 when they saw Alberto Bermejo, 21, grab the victim from behind and place him in a choke hold.
Police said Bermejo proceeded to punch the victim in the face with a closed fist, and police saw blood gushing from the victim’s nose.
Another attacker, Jonathan Simon, then went through the victim’s pockets and took $102, police said. Once the officers identified themselves as police, the men dropped the money.
Also arrested was Elpie Cruz, the alleged lookout, police said.
The men were arraigned in court Nov. 26 and will return to court Dec. 12.
