Yeshiva Students Robbed At Gunpoint on "A" Train

On Friday December 18th at 1:30 AM, three Yeshiva University students, Eric Levin, Edmundo Rosenberg and Pinchas Wolman, were robbed at gunpoint on the New York City subway. The students were traveling downtown on the A train when four men entered their subway car. Within seconds, one of the men pulled out a sawed-off single barrel 12-gauge shotgun and pointed it at Rosenberg's chest. That man immediately demanded wallets from all three Yeshiva students. Rosenberg and Wolman gave up their wallets, while Levin claimed that he didn't have a wallet with him.

The students were then told to stand up while another man frisked them from head to toe. Levin was frisked three times, but they didn't find his wallet, which was hidden under a baseball cap. Rosenberg explained that "Eric had his hat folded up in his hands, so when they felt something hard in the hat, they figured it was just the brim."

The four men exited the subway car at 103rd street, demanding that the students stay on the train. In all, the men stole two wallets, three sets of keys, and a used chapstick from the students. Rosenberg, Wolman, and Levin got off the train at 96rd street and dialed 911 from a pay phone. A patrol car responded immediately, and took the students to 103rd street where the scene was "frozen" - all persons within a half-mile radius fitting the description given by Rosenberg were held for identification.

Rosenberg recognized one of the men being held, and both Levin and Wolman agreed that he was among the men who had robbed them. The identified man had a loaded shotgun and Wolman's wallet in his coat. The other three assailants managed to escape and may still have Rosenberg's wallet.

The students were taken to police headquarters and were interviewed for about one half-hour. They were driven back to Yeshiva University at 3 AM. Wolman and Levin both testified before a Grand Jury. "They paid us six bucks to do it, too," exclaimed an excited Wolman. Rosenberg, who was called to testify and may still be subpoenaed, refused to talk in court. He said, "I was scared to testify because of an article I read in Reader's Digest about criminals who come back and kill the witnesses." The man who was apprehended has been charged with three counts of armed robbery and may face up to thirty years in prison if convicted.

Don Summers, Chief of Security at Yeshiva University, suggested that the subway system should only be used during peak hours. He referred to the YU Crime Prevention Manual, which further states, "When the train arrives, use the middle car where the conductor is assigned or a car where there is a Police Officer or a large number of people. Stay behind an exit door so you can leave the car quickly if the need arises…If you are confronted by a person with a weapon, do not resist unless you are left with no other choice."

When asked by this reporter why he was going downtown at 1:30 in the morning, Wolman responded, "Um…we heard they needed three more guys for a minyan downtown at 2 AM."