Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Doctors Reportedly Reattach Severed Arm Of Teen Accused Of Robbing Man For Sneakers
By
Ben Yakas
Published Feb 14, 2016
Modified Feb 14, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Feb 14, 2016
Modified Feb 14, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
On Friday, a teen had his arm ripped off in Brooklyn after being run over by an SUV driven by a man who claims the teen had robbed him for sneakers. The Post reports today that doctors at Brookdale University Hospital were able to successfully reattach 17-year-old suspect Zachary Sam's arm. Police couldn't confirm that, but the News cautions it was not immediately clear if the procedure worked.
Sam has been charged with robbery and criminal possession of a weapon, for the incident while his alleged victim, 39-year-old Phillippe Pierre, has also been charged with attempted murder. The lawyer for Pierre, a married father-of-three, argued in Brooklyn Supreme Court yesterday that Sam got what was coming to him for pulling a gun on his client: “I don’t mean to be harsh, but I think Mr. Sam in a sense was getting what he deserved," defense attorney James Harding said, according to the News. “My client is an absolute victim in this case.”
This incident unfolded around 1 p.m. on Friday on E. 86th Street near Avenue M in Canarsie when Sam met Pierre so he could buy a pair of $190 Air Jordan 8 Retro sneakers off of him after arranging the meetup on Craigslist. Sam allegedly pulled a gun on Pierre in side his SUV and demanded the shoes for free. "He said, 'Make a move and I’ll kill you. You’ll do exactly what I say,'" Harding said in court. "I’m astonished (Pierre) has been charged ... He was trying to make an honest dollar for his family."
As you can see in the surveillance video below, Sam took the shoes and exited the car. Pierre sped down the block, made a U-turn, then slammed into the teen, pinning him against a metal fence.
Surveillance video shows teen robbery suspect being run down b...
Exclusive surveillance video shows a teen suspect being run down by the victim he allegedly robbed at gunpoint in Brooklyn. (Warning: Video may be considered disturbing) Details: http://7ny.tv/1SmvHk4
Posted by ABC7NY on Friday, February 12, 2016
The impact of the SUV apparently sheared off Sam’s right arm just below the elbow. “He was shaking," Harding said of his client. "He made a U-turn and tried to do three things at once,” including call police, avoid getting shot, and see where Sam went. Harding claims Pierre saw Sam "reaching into his pocket," so he "ducked and his car jerked forward ... My client was terrorized and terrified."
Witnesses said that after he was struck by the car, the one-armed Sam tried to run onto a city bus nearby. "Everyone is screaming, 'Come back, come back, your arm. You’re bleeding too much,'" one said.
Tagged
arm
armless robbery
brooklyn
canarsie
phillippe pierre
robbery
zachary sam
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 17, 2026 at 1:16 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 17, 2026 at 4:10 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .