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Jordan Behling, age 23, of Wheatley Heights, was arraigned on assault and related charges in Suffolk County Court on Tuesday, Jan. 9.
According to prosecutors, the victim agreed to meet Behling on Friday, June 16, 2023 to purchase a PlayStation 5 gaming console that Behling had listed on Facebook Marketplace.
At around 7:15 p.m., Behling pulled up to the victim’s home in an SUV and the victim handed him $280 in cash through the window.
Once he had the money in hand, Behling sped off while the victim was still partially inside the car, prosecutors said.
He allegedly drove for two blocks, weaving in and out of traffic in an attempt to shake the victim off the vehicle.
Behling then sideswiped a parked car, throwing the victim from the SUV, before fleeing the scene, according to investigators.
The victim was taken to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip where he was treated for serious injuries. He is currently confined to a wheelchair.
Suffolk County Police determined that a relative of Behling had rented the SUV used in the incident. Detectives recovered numerous parts from the vehicle at the crash site.
The investigation also found that Behling had stolen money from two other victims using the same ruse, prosecutors said.
“This defendant’s alleged decision to steal from the victim is bad enough, but to take off and drive recklessly down the road with the victim hanging onto the car is unconscionable,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney.
“My office will seek justice for the victim and hold the defendant accountable for his actions.”
In court Tuesday, Behling was arraigned on the following charges:
- Two counts of robbery (felonies)
- Two counts of assault (felonies)
- Leaving the scene of an incident resulting in serious physical injuries (felony)
- Reckless endangerment (misdemeanor)
- Two counts of petit larceny (misdemeanors)
He was ordered jailed on $100,000 bond and is due back in court in February.
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