Robbery in Central Park: Julian De Flandres’ Terrifying Encounter
At about 10:30 pm on August 1, Julian De Flandres, a 37-year-old Upper West Side software developer, experienced a harrowing incident while chatting with friends near the Wollman Ice Rink in Central Park. He was robbed at knifepoint by a group of assailants, including young children. Here is his account of the shocking event:
Unexpected Attack
As Julian and his friends sat on a bench conversing, they were suddenly approached by a group of individuals. Among them was a young child, around 8 or 9 years old, who aggressively demanded their belongings. The situation escalated quickly as more kids joined in and began forcibly taking their bags and attempting to steal their phones.
Terrifying Turn of Events
Despite the initial disbelief, Julian soon realized the gravity of the situation when one of the younger kids snatched his wallet from his back pocket. In a tense moment, some of the perpetrators brandished knives, prompting Julian to comply and relinquish his belongings rather than risk a confrontation.
Aftermath and Reflection
Following the robbery, Julian contacted the authorities and, to his surprise, one of the young thieves later returned to apologize and return his wallet. However, the damage had been done, with fraudulent charges being made on his credit cards shortly after the incident. Julian was left contemplating the surreal nature of the attack, particularly the fact that it was initiated by a mere 8-year-old, leaving him with a sense of unease and disbelief.
