Civilian crime stoppers

Far Rockaway resident Menachem Bornstein and Salvador Lopez of Inwood could have done nothing. Instead, they helped a police officer apprehend a violent robbery suspect last November in the streets of Inwood.

For their actions, both men were presented with the Commissioner’s Award at a Sept. 22 ceremony at Nassau County Police headquarters in Mineola. Police Commissioner Lawrence Mulvey and Deputy County Executive Frank Ryan honored and presented plaques and citations to seven county residents who came to the aid of crime victims or police officers.

While on patrol on Nov. 19, police officer Matthew Becker came upon a robbery in progress at the corner of Doughty Boulevard and Elizabeth Street in Inwood, police said. When the victim, Masimba Mutema, pointed out the suspect, later identified as Julius Cullins, 20, of Schenectady, the officer confronted Cullins. He then pushed Becker and fled the scene, but was slowed down by Bornstein’s attempt to block Cullins’s path with his vehicle, according to police.

“It was a surreal experience,” Bornstein recalled. “My conscious thoughts were someone was in trouble and I wanted to help; the rest was adrenaline. I’m not a big guy, and I guess with the adrenaline, God was on my side.”

Becker managed to catch Cullins after a short foot pursuit, but Cullins punched the officer in the face and head. Becker succeeded in wrestling Cullins to the ground, but the fight continued.

“I saw what was happening and that the police officer was in trouble, and I couldn’t just sit and watch him get punched,” Bornstein said. “Then I saw the suspect reach for his waistband. I thought he had a gun, and I tried to back up [the car]. Then I saw the officer knock his hand from the waistband, and he blocked his hand, so I decided to get out. I saw I wasn't going to get shot.”

Bornstein, along with Lopez, grabbed Cullins's arms, preventing him from fighting, police said. The three men pinned Cullins to the ground, though he continued resisting.

“I didn’t even see Mr. Lopez come when he grabbed the suspect on the right side,” Bornstein said. “[The suspect] was extremely strong. It took all three of us to bring him down. Officer Becker couldn’t even get cuffs on him until [other] officers arrived.”