Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Suspect arrested after multiple robberies, sexual assaults at Queens spas
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Dec 5, 2023
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 .
Google maps
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Dec 5, 2023
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
Police arrested a man on Tuesday, accusing him of robbing four different spas in Queens at gunpoint in the span of a week.
Queens resident Shahab Usman, 40, was arrested on multiple charges, including attempted murder, rape and sex abuse, relating to all four incidents, police said Tuesday. NYPD officials said the first incident occurred at around 11 p.m. on Nov. 26, when the suspect and another man entered a spa on Jamaica Avenue in Jamaica, displayed a gun and a knife, and demanded property and cash from a 43-year-old man, a 45-year-old woman and a 49-year-old woman.
The men grabbed three cellphones and about $5,000 cash, police said, before fleeing eastbound on foot. None of the victims were injured.
A few days later, on Dec. 2, the main suspect was at it again. Police said he entered a spa on Liberty Avenue in Richmond Hill just before 8 p.m., displayed a gun, and demanded property and cash from a 57-year-old woman. When she tried to evade him, police said, the suspect threw her to the ground and struck her in the face with the gun before taking her cellphone and $700 cash. He again ran eastbound, and the victim was taken to NYC Health/Hospitals-Jamaica with injuries to her face and leg, officials said.
About half an hour after that, the suspect resurfaced at another spa, this time back on Jamaica Avenue in Kew Gardens, police said. He showed off his gun and demanded property and cash from a 45-year-old woman. When she stated she had no cash or property, the suspect tried to sexually assault her, according to police. He then fired a single gunshot, which struck a 52-year-old male in an adjacent room in the stomach.
The man was taken to NYC Health/Hospitals-Jamaica in critical condition, police officials said. The suspect fled on foot without taking anything, officials said.
On Monday, Dec. 4, police said the same suspect entered a third spa on Jamaica Avenue, this time in Richmond Hill, at about 3:40 p.m. The man displayed his gun and demanded that a 50-year-old woman take him to a private room, where he sexually assaulted her at gunpoint, police said.
Before leaving, he grabbed $190 in cash from the first victim, and more money from two other women after threatening them with the gun.
The suspect left the spa on foot in an unknown direction, according to police.
Attorney information for Usman was not immediately available.
This story has been updated with new information on the arrest of a suspect.
Tagged
nypd
public safety
queens
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NJ early voting begins Saturday. Here's everything you need to know.
Our 2026 New Jersey voter’s guide for this year’s midterm elections.
By
Mike Hayes
Published Oct 23, 2026 at 11:01 a.m. ET
Countdown clocks are coming to an NYC bus stop near you
New York City bus service isn't exactly reliable, but new digital countdown clocks will give riders a better sense of how long they have to wait.
By
Stephen Nessen
News
Countdown clocks are coming to an NYC bus stop near you
New York City bus service isn't exactly reliable, but new digital countdown clocks will give riders a better sense of how long they have to wait.
By
Stephen Nessen
Are NJ schools unconstitutionally segregated? It's back to the courts to decide.
By
Colleen O'Dea
Early Addition: New Jersey considering a ban on chewing gum because of microplastics
By
James Ramsay
Queens mother charged with murdering her son after failed suicide attempt, NYPD says
By
Brittany Kriegstein
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 .