Man Mugged In Jamaica Dies Months Later From Injuries: NYPD

JAMAICA HILLS, QUEENS -- A 66-year-old Queens man has died months after he was punched in the head during a cell phone robbery in Jamaica, police said.

Mohamaad Alam, 66, was talking on his cell phone outside a MIM Wireless on Hillside Avenue when a young man snatched his phone from his ear and ran, cops told Patch. When Alam tried to chase after him, another teen punched him in the side of his head. Both teens fled the scene.

Alam suffered a contusion to his head and was rushed to Elmhurst Hospital Center, where police said he remained in critical condition for the last four months. He succumbed to his injuries on Jan. 31.

Police arrested 16-year-olds Shyquan Kimble, of Far Rockaway, and Jaleel Steele, of Jamaica, less than a week after the robbery occurred on Oct. 3. It was unclear from interviews with Alam which boy did what in the robbery, an NYPD spokesman said. Both were charged with robbery and assault.

Cops have since deemed the attack a homicide, but it is unclear whether the two teen will face upgraded charges, an NYPD spokesman said.

"That would have to be something we'd determine with investigators," he said.

Lead photo via Google Maps.

Caption: Mohamaad Alam, 66, was robbed and punched in the head outside this MIM Wireless at 167-05 Hillside Ave.