Muggers 'use net to lure gays'
New York - Four young men were arrested for luring a gay man to a remote location with an online promise of a sexual encounter, then attempting to rob him - an incident that left the victim in critical condition after he ran into traffic to escape the attack, a police commander said on Wednesday.
The four, who range in age from 16 to 20, were arrested late on Tuesday, according to a police commander who spoke on condition of anonymity because the charges were still pending.
Police had said they were investigating the Sunday attack as a possible bias incident.
The victim remained in critical condition after the attack spilled onto a parkway and he was hit by a vehicle as he tried to escape. That vehicle fled the scene, and police were also searching for the driver.
Used internet to lure gay men
The four attackers, who said they were heterosexual, made incriminating statements and indicated they had previously used the internet to lure and attack gay men, the commander said.
The commander said one of the men had met the victim on a street corner and convinced him to drive to an isolated parking lot in New York's Brooklyn borough, where the other three were waiting.
His car was later discovered at the former rest stop near Plumb Beach, New York, with the motor still running.
The seedy spot, just east of Sheepshead Bay, New York, is known as a gathering point for illicit drug use and sexual encounters, officials said.
Victim struck by car
Witnesses told police the dispute spilled onto the six-lane Belt Parkway and halted traffic as the victim backed away from his assailants as they grabbed at him.
A motorist who was forced to stop said the victim was struck after breaking free and ending up in a lane where cars were still moving.
The attackers, who were not identified by police, were expected to be arraigned later on Wednesday.
News source: www.news24.co.za
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