Teen accused of shoving Queens grandmother down church steps attempts suicide at NYPD precinct

Joe Marino, Amanda Woods
·2 min read
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gif of attack, ambulance, mug shot
gif of attack, ambulance, mug shot

The teen boy busted for callously shoving a Queens grandmother down the steps of her church and stealing her purse attempted to take his own life while in custody Friday, law enforcement sources said.

Jayvaun Prince, 16 — who was arrested Thursday in the brutal mugging of 68-year-old Irene Tahliambouris — took his shirt off and wrapped it around his neck inside the NYPD’s 107th Precinct stationhouse, the sources said.

He was brought out in a stretcher and hospitalized, but was not seriously injured, the sources said.

The teen is accused of brutally mugging a 68-year-old woman on the steps of a Queens church. Courtesy St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
The teen is accused of brutally mugging a 68-year-old woman on the steps of a Queens church. Courtesy St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Surveillance video shows the incident on Sunday, April 7, 2024. Courtesy St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Surveillance video shows the incident on Sunday, April 7, 2024. Courtesy St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Tahliambouris is in critical condition after the incident. Courtesy St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Tahliambouris is in critical condition after the incident. Courtesy St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church

The teen is expected to be arraigned in the youth part of Queens Criminal Court on Friday night on charges including robbery and grand larceny for the April 7 mugging on the front steps of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Briarwood, a district attorney’s office spokesperson said.

He has also been charged with robbing another woman inside a Jamaica, Queens, apartment building and then fleeing in her car on April 4, according to the sources.

“The viciousness with which the defendant is accused of having committed the robbery at the church struck the city at its core,” Queens DA Melinda Katz said in a statement.

“As alleged, he chose to rob an elderly woman by first pushing her down the stairs and then proceeded to take her purse and leave her to suffer while he took off in her car. He will now have to answer for the serious charges levied against him by my Office.”

Prince was hospitalized after the attempt. Brigitte Stelzer
Prince was hospitalized after the attempt. Brigitte Stelzer
16-year-old Jayvaun Prince was arrested for shoving Irene Tahliambouris down the steps of a Queens church. Obtained by NY Post
16-year-old Jayvaun Prince was arrested for shoving Irene Tahliambouris down the steps of a Queens church. Obtained by NY Post

“Thank you to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny and the entire Detective Bureau for their relentless work.”

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.