Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Excruciating Erections Lead To Hard Times For Alleged Thief


By

Ben Yakas

Published Sep 1, 2011

Modified Sep 1, 2011


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 Sep 1, 2011

Modified Sep 1, 2011


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

An Upper East Side man who suffers from priapism—which gives you painful, uncontrollable erections for hours at a time—was arrested yesterday after allegedly trying to steal cash from his father to buy painkillers for his condition. "My son has a very rare disease, he has a priapism, which means he gets an erection that lasts five or six hours, and it’s very painful. They gave him oxycodone. That’s his problem. He’s addicted to drugs now,” Tommy Miller said of his 30-year-old son David.

Tommy said that his son has been sick since he was a child with an enzyme deficiency, and has frequently been in trouble as a result of the condition for years now—David has 11 prior arrests going back to 2006, for theft, assault, burglary, petit larceny, violating orders of protection, trespass and criminal possession of stolen property. His drug addiction and criminal behavior have all been the result of his rigid impediment, his father contends.

Most recently, David allegedly broke into his father's place on York Avenue on Aug. 23, pulled a knife and said, “I want you out, and I want money!” Tommy, who is used to dealing with his son, refused to leave and instead called the police. David was arrested on charges of burglary and attempted robbery, and is still waiting to be sprung by his father.

Tagged

awkward

erections

manhattan

oxycodone

priapism

thief

upper east side


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

Need help with mental health or addiction services? NYC has a new tool.

In surveys, many who say they want want help state they don't know where to start.

By

Caroline Lewis

Published Oct 19, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET


NYC sues personal injury law firm accused of bogus trip-and-fall claims

City attorneys allege the firm said its clients were injured by defective city streets or sidewalks when in reality they were hit by cars or banged up in fights.

By

Walter Wuthmann

News

NYC sues personal injury law firm accused of bogus trip-and-fall claims

City attorneys allege the firm said its clients were injured by defective city streets or sidewalks when in reality they were hit by cars or banged up in fights.

By

Walter Wuthmann


NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks

By

Catalina Gonella

Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church

By

Giulia Heyward

Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law

By

Gino Fanelli


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 .