(Photo: DCPI)
Aug. 13, 2018 By Tara Law
Police have identified a man believed to have violently robbed five Astoria women in their twenties at knifepoint over the past two weeks.
Police released a photo this morning of Donald Grier, 26, a resident of Ravenswood Houses at 34-15 12th St., who police think is the perpetrator.
Grier allegedly robbed the women at knifepoint between July 28 and Aug. 5, police say. Each attack took place between 29th and 43rd Streets–and 30th and 34th Avenues–after 11 p.m.
Grier, who threatened his victims with a machete, is considered “armed and dangerous,” the 114th precinct warned on Twitter today.
The first robbery took place at 11:30 p.m. on July 28 in front of 34-19 33rd St. He displayed a knife and took $120 out of the 27-year-old victim’s purse.
The suspect then went after a 23-year-old woman on July 29 at 11:05 p.m. near 30-62 36 St. He lifted up his shirt to show her that he had a large knife and took $60 cash from her.
Next, the suspect attacked a 21-year-old woman on July 31 at 4:30 a.m. on the corner of 43rd Street and 31st Avenue. He choked her and grabbed her wallet, which contained credit cards and $30 in cash. The victim walked to New York Presbyterian Hospital of Queens, where she was treated for cuts and scrapes.
Suspect (NYPD)
The suspect struck again on Aug. 3 at 12:52 a.m. He walked up to a woman, 29, who was walking into her home near 43rd Street and 34th Avenue. The suspect shoved her into her building’s lobby and tried to yank her bag away, but took off without managing to take it.
The suspect’s final victim was a 28-year-old woman, who he grabbed from behind on Aug. 5 at 12:43 a.m. in front of 34-35 29th St. He put the victim into a chokehold and grabbed her purse, which contained credit cards, and fled the scene.
Police describe Grier as black, about 6 feet tall and 180 pounds, with black hair and black eyes.
Anyone with information in regards to these incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
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21 Comments
This animal belongs in a cage
Let’s all wish Donald a very happy 27th birthday! Don’t drop the soap!
Are there like 3 different posts of this guy now?
Women and smart men tip: Esco pharmacy, Manhattan, Saber Red. You’re welcome.
The guy who always post “check the projects” under these crime pieces is always right. Say no to any more low income housing, it’s killing the neighborhood.
The low income housing has always been around in Astoria. This has more to do with policing practices under this Mayor.
Unfortunately they just added another 55 subsidized (section 8) apartments to Marine Terrace development. The majority of Astoria’s crime comes from NYCHA, Section 8 developments and homeless shelters.
Ravenswood, where I grew up in the 60’s, has turned into a real S**THOLE.
After he is caught and rots in prison this lunatic should lose all rights to receive taxpayer subsidized rent at NYCHA. Because of DeBlasio’s policies we have more criminals menacing in the streets.
I lived in that same building in the 60’s it was a great experience.
I don’t know what the hell happened to my project!!!
Gangs are taking over!!!
Unfortunately he won’t lose anything with this mayor. Deblasio eased the NYCHA felony ban and does not enforce evictions for dangerous criminals living in NYCHA subsidized apartments.
Proof links are below:
https://nypost.com/2017/03/29/team-de-blasios-felon-friendly-approach-to-public-housing/amp/
https://www.villagevoice.com/2016/12/13/nycha-stops-discriminating-against-new-yorkers-with-criminal-records/
75% of the crime in the neighborhood originates from Ravenswood Houses or Astoria Houses projects.
The vast majority of crime in Astoria and most nyc neighborhoods comes from NYCHA, Section 8 developments and homeless shelters.
That’s because Deblasio eased the NYCHA felony ban and does not enforce evictions for dangerous criminals living in NYCHA subsidized apartments. Our tax dollars well spent!!!
https://nypost.com/2017/03/29/team-de-blasios-felon-friendly-approach-to-public-housing/amp/
https://www.villagevoice.com/2016/12/13/nycha-stops-discriminating-against-new-yorkers-with-criminal-records/
That is so disgusting.
Forgot about Queensbridge & Woodside Houses?
Those eyes!
I know! They are so beautiful!
Nice work NYPD. If this is indeed the perp, hopefully he goes upstate and has plenty of time to reconsider his life of crime.
Ravenswood Houses – SHOCKING!
Increase police presence!!!
Strictly enforce evictions for any subsidized tenants convicted of serious crimes!!!
Stop the madness!!!
I always see patrol cars driving around Astoria. I also notice more homes and buildings with security systems and surveillance video. Thieves know they are not going to be stopped or questioned unless they are being caught in the act.
This is Deblasio’s City!!!!
You can walk around with an open beer in one hand and a knife in the other, urinate in public, jump turnstiles, write graffiti on walls and much more without any consequences.
Deblasio decriminalized many crimes and put massive restrictions on police.
Deblasio is a criminal’s best friend ?