Would-Be Scammers Drive Williamsburg Sidewalks in Foiled Getaway Attempt
Channel: VINnews
Date: 2016-05-27

Chasidic Boy Injured as Would-Be Scammers Drive Williamsburg Sidewalks in Foiled Getaway Attempt
 
A 9 year old Williamsburg boy ended up in the hospital yesterday after being struck by a car speeding down a local sidewalk.
 
Police said that the incident took place at the southwest corner of Rodney Street and Lee Avenue at 4:10 PM .  A black Toyota Camry that had left the roadway and was driving on the sidewalk reportedly circled the block several times before striking the child.  The victim, who  complained of substantial pain to his left foot, was taken to Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital with what appeared to be minor injuries.
 
According to WABC reports, the car took the sidewalk after shopkeepers called the police to report that its two occupants were attempting to pass obviously counterfeit $20 bills at a number of local stores. Witnesses said that the men fled to their car but were unable to escape the  area because of rush hour traffic that left them stuck on Lee Avenue. 

Trapped by several individuals who tried to prevent the car from leaving, the driver back onto the sidewalk and took off, forcing terrified pedestrians in the busy shopping area to jump out of the way, while shopkeepers pounded on the car and pelted it with garbage cans.
 
At one point, after finding himself cornered, the driver reversed direction, hurtling backwards down the sidewalk until the car was stopped by police.  
 
“It’s a miracle that only one person got hurt,” said onlooker Joseph Langsam.