Killer ex-con identified as suspect in sucker-punch mugging that killed Brooklyn man devoted to caring for elderly mom
A killer ex-con feared as the “local bully” in his Brooklyn neighborhood was identified Thursday as the suspect in a $1,000 sucker-punch robbery that killed a local man devoted to caring for his elderly mother.
Career criminal Phillip Meyers, convicted of murder in 1999, had 17 prior arrests before the deadly attack on John Sarquiz, 55, as the victim walked home from a Dyker Heights mini-mart after making a cash withdrawal from an ATM machine, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig.
Meyers, whose 13-year-old son was convicted alongside him in the 24-year-old slaying, was paroled in 2009 and quickly rang up another eight arrests — the most recent in 2020 for burglary.
He was also busted repeatedly between 1992 and 1998, with the charges escalating from burglary and criminal mischief to the homicide case, said Essig. The victim was carrying $1,000 cash when targeted and attacked, according to police and family members.
The 45-year-old fugitive suspect’s last known address was on Beach 19th St. in Brooklyn, said Essig, and he was also known as Philip Mastrage.
Sarquiz was attacked from behind on the evening of March 29. The attacker fled the scene with the stolen cash after repeatedly kicking the helpless victim in the head and body, police said.
Sarquiz died five days later when family members made the gut-wrenching decision to take him off life support.
Since the death of his father in 2014, he had been his elderly mother’s full-time live-in caretaker, according to relatives.
The victim’s sister said she was told the killer emptied Sarquiz’s wallet before throwing it back at the mortally injured man. His family stood vigil at his hospital bed before removing Sarquiz from life support this past Monday at NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn.
Sarquiz was targeted while walking the two blocks home from the Dean Mini-Market where he often bought lottery tickets for himself and scratch-offs for his mom, his sister said.
His head slammed into the sidewalk as he collapsed to the pavement on 13th Ave. near 72nd St., cops said.
Sister Christina Sarquiz told the Daily News that her brother promised their father to take care of the mom before the dad passed away. Their heartbroken mother, 80-year-old Karen Sarquiz, visited her dying son at the hospital as the family held out hope for his recovery.
“He was determined to follow through of what his father asked of him,” his sister said. “It was a great sacrifice of his own life and independence to make sure she was OK.”
The lifelong Brooklynite grew up in nearby Sunset Park, attending the local Catholic school Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
An impromptu memorial of flowers and candles appeared outside the store, where Sarquiz was fondly recalled as a regular customer. The mini-mart was closed down for several days after his death in a show of respect for the victim, according to a store employee.
“He was a great guy,” said the worker. “We knew him for years. He would come in and get things for his mother.”
Sister Christina said the family had heard the wanted man had a rap sheet and previously did jail time, adding they were told the suspect was also a drug addict.
“I don’t know how someone with a repeat offense and criminal record is allowed to walk the streets,” she told The News.
