Crime Watch

Merrick man dead after alleged dispute in Manhattan

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A Merrick man is dead following an altercation with a Manhattan bike messenger, according to New York City police.

Roger Balan, 58, died after a dispute that he had with Devon Givens, 35, over use of an elevator, a police spokeswoman said. According to a news release issued by the NYPD, Givens was arrested and charged with manslaughter after the alleged altercation, which took place at 440 Park Ave. South in midtown Manhattan at 12:12 p.m. on Sept. 8.

Police said Givens, of Brooklyn, was originally charged with assault, but the charge was later upgraded to manslaughter.

It’s unclear precisely what happened during the alleged altercation. Police did not offer details.

Balan was unconscious when he was rushed to nearby Bellevue Hospital Center. He was pronounced dead on arrival at Bellevue, the police spokeswoman said.

Officials did not offer information about Givens’s legal representation. According to the New York City Department of Corrections website, he was being held at the Manhattan Detention Center on $7,500 bail or $15,000 bond. His next court date was scheduled for Sept. 11.

The NYPD does not distribute photographs of alleged perpetrators, according to the spokeswoman.