A 73-year-old man fell out of the sixth-floor window of his Manhattan home after a trio of home invaders robbed his son, police said over the weekend.
One of the suspects entered the apartment in Washington Heights around 3 a.m. by climbing through a window, according to investigators. He then let in the two other accomplices. Police believe they targeted the senior man's 40-year-old son.
Police said the three men, who were seen on hallway surveillance video, tied up the man and stole a gold chain valued at around $8,000 and $200 in cash. Video from outside the building showed the feet of at least two of the suspects walking on the scaffolding, and investigators said the third entered the building and helped the others get in through a fire escape.
About 30 minutes later, the robbery victim's father, identified by police as Jacinto Remigio, fell out of the window and onto scaffolding below. Police initially believed he was climbing out to escape the home invaders. However, after a preliminary investigation, they were unable to say how Remigio fell to his death -- but it wasn't while the robbery was in progress.
Investigators said Remigio plunged to his death as police were talking to his 40-year-old son about the robbery.
Neighbors were shocked and saddened by what happened. Jacinto was known around the neighborhood after owning a shoe store on Broadway called "Jacinto's Shoes" for four decades.
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Heriberto Garcia was the victim's friend and had known the man for over three decades. He said he saw his friend climb out of the window and fall after getting out onto a small ledge to reach another window and getting stopped by an air conditioner.
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The man was rushed to the hospital after the fall, but he later succumbed to his injuries and died.
Police had not released any suspect descriptions as of Monday evening.
