Homeless man charged with stealing woman’s cane outside NYC Target is a registered sex offender with previous violations.
A man has been charged with robbery after allegedly stealing an elderly woman’s cane outside a Target store in Manhattan’s Union Square. Kurtis Mcvae, 36, was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court and is currently being held on bail following the incident, which occurred on Thursday afternoon around 3:15 PM at the intersection of Union Square East and East 14th Street.
According to prosecutors, Mcvae was sitting on the pavement when he approached an 88-year-old woman accompanied by her home health aide. The suspect allegedly grabbed the woman’s arm in an attempt to steal her purse and cane. A bystander, described as a good Samaritan, intervened, attempting to pry Mcvae’s grip away from the elderly woman. This attempt, however, resulted in the victim falling to the sidewalk.
Medics responded to the scene, transporting the 88-year-old woman to Lenox Hill Hospital, where she was reported to be in stable condition. Meanwhile, Mcvae fled the scene, taking the woman’s cane with him as he ran north through Union Square Park.
The quick actions of the woman’s home health aide played a crucial role in the investigation. The aide managed to capture a photo of Mcvae, which helped identify his clothing, while the Samaritan provided authorities with a detailed description. Detectives were subsequently able to locate video surveillance footage of the incident, leading to the creation of a wanted flyer.
Mcvae was apprehended by law enforcement the following day and charged with robbery. Records indicate that this is not his first encounter with the law; he has six prior arrests that include charges for petit larceny and possession of a controlled substance. Mcvae, who has a history as a registered sex offender in Oregon, also has a prior conviction for failing to register as a sex offender in Wisconsin.
During the court hearing, Judge Felicia Mennin set Mcvae’s bail at ,500 in cash, ,000 as a bond through an insurance company, and ,000 through a partially secured surety bond. Prosecutors highlighted Mcvae’s history of failing to appear in court on three previous occasions as part of their argument for higher bail. He is scheduled to return to court on February 26 to face the charges against him.
This incident underscores ongoing concerns regarding public safety and the welfare of vulnerable populations in urban areas. The case will continue to be monitored as it unfolds in the legal system.
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