Gunfire At NYC's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel

Security Guard Shot Following Robbery Attempt At Jewelry Store; Suspect In Custody

(CBS/AP)  Gunfire erupted in the lobby of the storied Waldorf-Astoria Hotel during a brazen robbery attempt Saturday at an adjacent jewelry store, wounding a security guard and sending guests diving for cover.

The 54-year-old guard, Gregory J. Boyle, was shot in the chest but was expected to survive, and a suspect was arrested on charges including attempted murder and assault.

Hotel guest Christine Cataldo said she was looking at a display of engagement rings near the entrance to the store, Cellini Jewelers, when she heard the first shot.

"It sounded like a bomb. One big boom. And then people started running," said Cataldo, of Long Island. "I looked up, and I saw a man in a suit with silver hair grabbing another guy."

The mayhem began when the black-garbed suspect, identified as Rafael Rabinovich-Ardans, 20, pulled out a gun in the jewelry store and used the weapon to smash two display cases full of expensive rings and necklaces, said a police official who spoke on condition of anonymity because detectives were still investigating.

"I heard some pops, [then] people screamed, 'Gunshots, robbery, get out,' and we ran," hotel guest Matt Luba told CBS station WCBS-TV.

Boyle, a retired New York Police Department detective, confronted the man. About three gunshots rang out as the two wrestled and fell to the floor, though it wasn't clear who fired, the official said. Both were armed.

One bullet hit Boyle in the upper chest, the official said.

Another hotel employee then tackled the suspect, the police official said. The suspect's gun went off again as they grappled, but that bullet apparently struck no one. Hotel security staffers arrived and took Rabinovich-Ardans into custody.

No telephone number could be found for Rabinovich-Ardans, of Queens, and police did not know whether he had a lawyer. It was unclear whether he had any previous connection to the jewelry store, they said.

Witness Jeff Johnston of Raleigh, North Carolina, said he was near the store when chaos broke out.

"All of a sudden people were running and hiding behind hotel furniture," he said.

Boyle was in stable condition late Saturday at Bellevue Hospital, police said.

The suspect was not identified. A telephone message left with the hotel was not immediately returned.

"We felt really safe and we've been talking to people who've assured us this city is safe," Melanie Truman, a guest visiting from the UK, said. "Then we come back and find this."

The Waldorf-Astoria was the world's largest hotel when it opened in its current Park Avenue spot in 1931, according to the hotel's Web site. It was previously on Fifth Avenue.

The Art Deco hotel quickly became synonymous with luxury and part of popular culture, appearing in the 1945 Ginger Rogers film "Weekend at the Waldorf" and garnering a mention in the classic Cole Porter song "You're the Top."

Cellini Jewelers, a high-end boutique that specializes in luxury watches adorned with diamonds and gold, opened in the hotel lobby in 1977.

No one answered the phone at the store Saturday. A saleswoman at Cellini's sister store in Manhattan said she hadn't heard from the managers at the location where the shooting took place and had no additional information.

[truthrocks]

remrafdn said "No, idiots get deleted repeatedly."

If that was true then you, brian, and many others will be deleted repeatedly. The deletion is based on bias against my message. My message is loud, clear, and accurate. We have to reduce the prevalence of guns in the US to reduce homicides and suicides. That type of message should be repeated not deleted...unless you are for more homicides and suicides.

[slim1h2o]

I like guns. Guns are cool. I hate the noise they make so I wear ear protection when I go shoot.

posted by brianwb;

LOL..I like going to the paintball range. It''s not quite the same as a real gun, but you do get to shoot at real people though.

LOL

[Black_Cowboy_Hat]

John J. Donohue III is not a reliable source simply because he has shown his bias against firearms on several occasions dating back to 2003. He may as well be on the Brady payroll.
Assuming Lott is biased and his research had never been done, explain why in 1986 Florida was 36% above the national average in homicide. After their concealed carry laws in ''87 that percentage plummeted to 4% lower than the national average and remains below the national average despite the fact that Florida has some of the most liberal gun laws and concealed carry laws. Also explain why every state that has issued concealed carry licenses was supposed to create "blood in the streets" and "fender benders will turn into the shootout at the OK Coral", never saw either of those events.

[usa_infidel]

When the cops, armed guards, and secret service turn in their guns, I''ll turn in mine. If guns are evil then why do they have them?
If a Brinks guard "protect" a bag of money worth x dollars doesn''t it make sense for me to have a gun to protect my family worth infinity X?
You commie antis need to answer up?
By the way post a sign in your yard espousing your "no guns here" theory and we''ll see which house gets robbed next - any bets?
Don''t believe everything you read in the National pravda (press), people use guns to protect themselves in far greater numbers then villains use them otherwise... let me know if you need additional enlightenment.

It would be ironic if the anti''s sent big brother to my door with their guns to shoot me to take away mine... who is the crimminal there? Or would the anti''s send big brother unarmed? ha ha LOL!!

"Liberalism is a mental disorder", its been proven, this site reinforces it.

[middleman8]

What use is the second amendment if you an carry a weapon but not allowed to shoot someone? (sic )

[sensiblejack]

Do you Anti-Gun folks actually think criminals get guns legally...and will be foiled in their attempts to arm up with tighter restrictions or bans.

[deweyhowe]

"Well, it looks like the newly downgraded economy has come home to roost to the very people who had a hand in the downgrade."

Very thoughtful! (roll eyes...)

[my2centss]

"Boyle, a retired New York Police Department detective...One bullet hit Boyle in the upper chest...Another hotel employee then tackled the suspect..."

Just think if you had to depend on someone else to defend you. Thank-you Second Amendment.

[slim1h2o]

I see schoollord has a new name........

[slim1h2o]

Well, it looks like the newly downgraded economy has come home to roost to the very people who had a hand in the downgrade.

[Black_Cowboy_Hat]

It''s amazing how the sheep start to "baaaa" when the wolves attack. No doubt these are the same people that want the government to powder their behinds and pat them on the back from cradle to grave. Remember, when seconds count, the police are just minutes away.

Between mouthfuls of grass, chew on these stats from the same government that ruled that the police have no duty to protect individuals.

U.S., Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice, "The Armed Criminal in America: A Survey of Incarcerated Felons," Research Report (July 1985): 27

* 3/5 of felons polled agreed that "a criminal is not going to mess around with a victim he knows is armed with a gun.

* 74% of felons polled agreed that "one reason burglars avoid houses when people are at home is that they fear being shot during the crime."

* 57% of felons polled agreed that "criminals are more worried about meeting an armed victim than they are about running into the police.

[lf1952]

There are excellent statistics on the incidence of holders of concealed weapons permits being involved in crime. Just do a web search. Those numbers approach zero in most states and at worst are far lower then the general population.

Sorry...I know FACTS are so inconvenient when they don''t support your beliefs.

[lf1952]

You folks don''t understand. This entire story MUST be a fake. there are NO guns in NY - after all there is a LAW against it. I suppose someone will claim that the law assures that only criminals have guns. And then someone will point out that the worst shooting in the US have been in "Gun Free Zones". And then someone else will point out that armed citizens in a Church in Texas and a mall in Salt Lake City stopped shootings there before the police even began arriving. But I REFUSE to be bothered by facts - Mayor Bloomberg says there are no guns because there is a law, so there MUST be no guns!!!

Truly pathetic.
This kind of thing happens only rarely in states will "shall issue" concealed weapons permits. I wonder why?

I keep waiting for the shooter''s family from Salt Lake and Texas to sue the State and mall owner. After all, they PROMISED (just like Mayor Bloomberg) that there would no armed citizens to bother the shooters. Criminals must have a right to be SAFE while they shoot people!!! Victims MUST be prevented from protecting themselves!!!

[dewbug2]

A suit with silver hair....now, that''d be a sight to see....

[stupidrules3]

Oh, and Hitoyou1, you called everyone who disagrees with you NUTS and IDIOTS.

[stupidrules3]

Please, no guns don''''t kill people do. We are really tired of that BS.


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Posted by Hitoyou1 at 07:38 PM : Nov 15, 2008

Why is it that I never receive an answer when I ask,"How are you going to get all the guns?"
Maybe you have one Hitoyou1. If you do I would love to hear it.

[jydavis1]

Mossad ?

[toolmangler-2009]

I think they were talking about jewellery. Not a wife are child. Read.
Posted by Hitoyou1 at 08:44 PM : Nov 15, 2008



I was referring to limits, If no one stops lawbreakers then no one is safe. Read

[wlmrtpatriot]

Nobody besides other NUTS would post in this place.
Ad-hominem attacks and personal insults are the rules of engagement here. People with guns kill people. People with bombs kill people...People with knives kill people. Weapons+people kill people. D*mn sometimes people even poison other people.
Ok..one of you posters asked that somebody jump on here and tell why "guns are good".
I would suggest you ask one of the "hoodies" who sell drugs under a tree on my corner that question.
They cling to them and consider them necessary.
A weapon in itself is never good nor evil. The reasoning behind the holder of the weapon is the dangerous thing. The hoodies are protecting their territory. I''m trying to protect mine and also my life. Weapons don''t kill people...People kill people for whatever reason.

[toolmangler-2009]

Peoples lives are worth a lot more than a few bits of jewellery.
Posted by cdfoxtrot5 at 06:43 PM : Nov 15, 2008



Yes, but ''Where'' do you draw the line? when they go upstairs to rape your wife/child? or do you wait ''til they shoot at you?