A 16-year-old boy named Jayvaun Prince has recently been arrested for violent robberies and assaults, including an incident where he allegedly shoved a 68-year-old woman down church steps, causing severe injuries. This arrest marks his fifth time being apprehended for such offenses. In addition to the attack on the elderly woman, Prince faces charges for a separate robbery that occurred just days prior. Prosecutors have linked him to other crimes as well, including multiple robberies and misdemeanor assaults that took place in Queens over the past few months. He is also wanted for a robbery involving a delivery person in February. This pattern of criminal behavior has raised concerns about why Prince was allowed to remain on the streets despite his extensive criminal record.
The family of the victim, Irene Tahliambouris, has criticized the state’s laws for failing to hold criminals accountable and prevent repeat offenses. They believe that lenient laws have emboldened criminals to commit more serious crimes after getting away with lesser offenses. Video footage of the church attack shows the brutality of the crime, as Prince not only pushed Tahliambouris down the stairs but also stole her belongings and fled in her car. A similar incident involving a robbery at gunpoint occurred just days earlier, where Prince threatened a woman to hand over her money and keys before stealing her car. Prosecutors have charged him with multiple crimes in connection to these incidents.
Prince’s criminal behavior has escalated over time, with multiple incidents involving robberies at knifepoint in August and September. He has been accused of targeting victims of various ages, with some incidents involving physical assaults and theft. Despite being taken into custody following his latest arrest, Prince attempted suicide while in custody, raising concerns about his mental state. Tahliambouris, the victim of the recent church attack, remains in critical condition, unable to move or stand on her own. Her family has described her as a loving grandmother and set up a fundraising page to cover medical expenses.
The pastor of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, where the attack on Tahliambouris took place, has visited her in the hospital and described her condition as stable. He expressed gratitude for the community support she has received and emphasized the need for Prince to reflect on his actions and seek redemption. Despite the severity of his crimes, the pastor believes that there is still hope for the young perpetrator to change his ways and receive the help he needs. The incident has sparked outrage from law enforcement officials and community members, who are calling for accountability and stricter laws to prevent such violent crimes from occurring in the future.
