An unhinged driver gave the impression to be working for Amazon when he allegedly attacked 5 strangers in Queens — together with ramming right into a carload of girls together with his cargo van filled with packages, in keeping with authorities.
Dauri Batita, 32, was hit with a slew of costs, together with tried theft and assault, for the string of unprovoked assaults on Sunday that turned the peaceable neighborhood of Forest Park “into a criminal offense scene that spanned a number of metropolis blocks,” Queens District Lawyer Melinda Katz introduced on Wednesday.
Batita, of Brooklyn, allegedly started the “violent rampage” simply after 4 p.m. whereas sporting a blue vest bearing the Amazon emblem and carrying round Amazon packages in a white Ram van, prosecutors mentioned.
The crazed driver, who’s often known as Dauri Batista, first approached a 2015 Nissan on the intersection of Park Lane South and Forest Parkway in Woodhaven, officers mentioned.
Because the 61-year-old driver and her three passengers seemed on, Batita allegedly hit the automobile’s windshield with an unknown object and cracked the glass.
Whereas the 4 alarmed girls waited close to the intersection of Forest Parkway and eighty fifth Avenue for cops to reach, the wild deliveryman rammed head-on into the Nissan. He then backed up and drove in entrance of the automobile, authorities added.
After he tried to again up once more, the Nissan drove off, and Batita sped after that group of girls — three of whom suffered substantial neck, again, and knee ache within the ordeal, Katz added.
Shortly after, Batita was allegedly going the incorrect method on a one-way avenue close to the intersection of 87th Avenue and 85th Highway in Woodhaven and exited his van to punch a 66-year-old man a number of instances, prosecutors mentioned.
The unprovoked blows loosened the sufferer’s enamel and brought on bleeding and ache. He was then taken to the hospital for therapy.
On the identical intersection, Batita allegedly attacked a second 33-year-old man, repeatedly slugging the sufferer within the face as he pulled at his necklace.
He proceeded to punch a 72-year-old man within the head, inflicting the aged man to fall to the bottom and maintain abrasions to his arm, the DA mentioned.
Persevering with his violent spree, Batita hopped in his Ram and drove the incorrect method on a one-way avenue as soon as once more and hit the entrance finish of a 2023 Nissan.
Batita then opened the entrance passenger door and allegedly assaulted the 75-year-old driver, punching him within the face and threatening to grab his automotive.
The sufferer’s son stopped the assault and held Batita till police arrived to cuff him, prosecutors mentioned.
Batita was ordered held with out bail at his arraignment on Wednesday by Queens Felony Courtroom Decide Thomas Wright-Fernandez, prosecutors mentioned.
“As alleged, this defendant went on a violent rampage by ramming his supply van into a number of autos and assaulting 4 individuals, three of whom are seniors,” Katz mentioned in an announcement.
“This defendant’s actions turned a peaceable neighborhood close to Forest Park into a criminal offense scene that spanned a number of metropolis blocks. I thank our NYPD companions for rapidly apprehending the defendant earlier than he may trigger extra hurt.”
Batita faces as much as seven years in jail if convicted of a laundry checklist of costs. He’ll return to court docket on Could 19.
Amazon didn’t instantly reply to The Put up’s request for remark relating to his employment standing.
