From the Greenwich Police Dept.
January 28, 2021, Greenwich Police Officers were detailed to 268 West Putnam Ave. on a report of a male who assaulted a female victim. The responding officers found Steven Lopez (DOB 8/16/1989) 183-12 Booth Memorial Avenue, Fresh Meadows, New York engaged in an unprovoked physical assault on the victim, who was over sixty years old.
Without provocation, Lopez opened the victim’s car door, which caused the victim to fear for her safety. The victim tried to run away from Lopez, but he was able to grab the victim. Lopez placed the victim in a chokehold as she was attempting to seek help from patrons within the establishment by banging on the exterior glass. The victim’s son saw what was transpiring and ran to his mother’s safety. He needed to strike Lopez numerous times before he released the victim from the chokehold. The victim and her son both believed that Lopez was placing the victim in grave danger.
The victim sustained injuries from the attack. The victim was transported to the hospital and later released after being treated. Lopez was transported to the hospital for injuries he sustained. Lopez needed to be admitted to the hospital and was released from their care on Friday, January 29, 2021, in the late evening hours. Greenwich Police posted an Officer at the hospital during Lopez’s admittance and transported him to Greenwich Police Headquarters upon his release.
Lopez was charged with the following:
• Strangulation 2nd Degree – 53a-64bb
• Assault 3rd Degree of an Elderly Person – 53a-61a
• Assault 3rd Degree – 53a-61
• Breach of Peace – 53a-181 Lopez was unable to post his $100,000.00 bond and remained in GPD custody.
Lopez was assigned a court date of 02/26/2021 at 0900 hours to appear in Stamford Superior Court.
This was a random act of violence that caught the victim and her son completely off guard. They do not know nor ever met Lopez. Crime can happen anywhere and at any time. Due to the randomness of crime, there are a few precautions we all can take to reduce the risk and discourage those who commit crimes.
• Always be alert and aware of the people around you.
• Educate yourself concerning prevention tactics.
• Be aware of locations and situations which would make you appear vulnerable to crime, such as alleys and dark parking lots.
