Mercedes began selling arroz con pollo around Corona Avenue and Junction Boulevard in Queens in 2023, after moving from Ecuador. Limited by her English and immigration status, she initially avoided engaging with others in the street vending industry. Without the necessary permit, she lived in fear of enforcement actions. In April, she was approached by Mohamed Orabi, who offered her a street-vending permit for $20,000, pressuring her for a deposit and additional fees, leading to a total of $16,500 payment with false promises.
Locals along the Roosevelt Avenue corridor have begged for help as the area has been plagued by rampant prostitution and illegal street vendors - fueled in part by gangs who got a foothold in the area due to the city's migrant crisis.
Reda Briki, 52, was found unconscious and unresponsive by an acquaintance in the cabin of a boat docked at Railroad and Greenpoint avenues in Newton Creek Marina Sunday afternoon.