New York City, USA – A woman in Queens, New York City, who was a victim of a violent mugging last month, recently shared the traumatic experience in an exclusive interview. Desiree Mason, 38, described being dragged out of her car by a suspect identified as Bernardo Castro Mata, who allegedly robbed her before fleeing on a moped. This incident left Mason with PTSD-like symptoms, impacting her sense of safety in her own neighborhood.
During the interview, Mason expressed gratitude towards the NYPD officers who apprehended Mata after he allegedly shot two officers earlier. She acknowledged the bravery of the officers for removing a dangerous individual like Mata from the streets. The attack on Mason is part of a series of moped-involved robberies in Queens, with Mata being a person of interest in these cases.
The security footage of the robbery showed the assailant forcefully pulling Mason out of her car while attempting to steal her purse. The struggle between Mason and Mata resulted in her being knocked down and dragged along the road. Eventually, the thief managed to grab her purse and escape on the waiting moped, leaving Mason shaken and traumatized.
Mata, an individual who entered the US illegally and is suspected to be associated with the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren De Aragua, is facing multiple charges, including two counts of attempted murder for the cop shooting incident. The use of mopeds in criminal activities, particularly in snatch-and-grab robberies, has become a concerning trend in the area.
Mason’s ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such crimes in the community. As she continues to cope with the aftermath of the traumatic incident, law enforcement authorities are actively investigating Mata and his potential involvement in other similar robberies. The collaboration between the NYPD and the community is crucial in addressing and preventing such criminal activities from escalating further.