Crimecerebral palsyquadriplegiciPhone

William Washington, Quadriplegic Man, Robbed Of iPhone; Nakiem Sanders Arrested

Quadriplegic Man Robbed Of His Only Way To Communicate
Open Image Modal

When a heartless thief stole an iPhone from William Washington, he wasn't just robbing him of a smart phone.

He robbed this quadriplegic man of his only physical connection to the world around him.

Washington, who suffers from cerebral palsy, cannot walk, talk or use his hands, according to NBC News. His only mode of communication comes from a special pointer he uses to type a message that is then spoken by voice technology on the iPhone.

He could only watch on Nov. 8 as the phone was taken off the tray of his wheelchair at his New York City apartment. He was unable to call 911 so he drafted an email to the NYPD, the Daily Mail reports.

Using a clunky computer to type in his responses, he told NBC that he was "scarred" by the incident.

"You shouldn't steal from a disabled person who relies on a special device to reach out to the world," Washington said.

Cops looked at surveillance footage and this week arrested an 18-year-old who lives in the building, CNET reports. The Staten Island Advance identified the man as Nakiem Sanders.

Sanders reportedly didn't have the iPhone anymore after his arrest, but Washington's friends pooled money to get him a new one.

Support HuffPost

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.

Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your will go a long way.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Bad Choices
Bad Process Server(01 of19)
Open Image Modal
According to Mitch Zarskey, of Piney Point Village, Texas, his surveillance cameras captured a process server urinating in his driveway on Sept. 29, 2013.Watch the video here:www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/03/mitch-zarskey-process-server_n_4038044.html (credit:Mitch Zarskey)
Man Returns Used Enemas(02 of19)
Open Image Modal
Federal prosecutors say Ronald Robinson returned used enemas to a pharmacy in Jacksonville, Fla. The products were resold to customers before workers discovered they had been tampered with. Robinson could be imprisoned for 10 years if convicted. (credit:Florida Department of Corrections)
Illicit Manatee Riding(03 of19)
Open Image Modal
This unidentified woman may have had a great time catching a ride on the back of a manatee in Florida, but, unfortunately, it's a misdemeanor in violation of the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act.Read the whole story here.
Alleged Violent Naked Pooping Masturbator(04 of19)
Open Image Modal
Gregory Matthew Bruni, 21, is accused of getting naked and climbing onto a couple's roof, then assaulting one of the homeowners before pooping and masturbating inside the house.Read the whole story here. (credit:Facebook)
Brandi Lynn Stuntebeck(05 of19)
Open Image Modal
Stuntebeck, 31, allegedly attempted to flee after crashing into the back of another car in Ohio. The driver of that car, Donald Brownlee, followed her, leading Stuntebeck to pull over. But when he leaned through her passenger window, she drove off again dragging him for nearly a mile, according to police. He eventually fell and the car ran over his ankle. (credit:Hamilton County Sheriff)
Tracy McDonald(06 of19)
Open Image Modal
When McDonald was accused by Seattle police of flashing a woman while masturbating in a park, he told authorities he was just getting "some sun." (credit:Snohomish County Sheriff's Office)
Shelby Figueroa(07 of19)
Open Image Modal
After ramming into a deputy's patrol vehicle, this 18-year-old was handcuffed and thrown into the back seat.But not for long.She allegedly managed to escape from the cuffs, get into the driver's seat, and lead authorities on a chase that lasted a half hour and reached speeds up to 100 mph before the stolen SUV went off the road and flipped over.Read the whole story here. (credit:KUSA-TV)
William H. Masters III(08 of19)
Open Image Modal
This undated photo provided by the Huron County Sheriff shows William Howell Masters III, 60, of South Hampton, N.Y. Masters, the son of sex research pioneer Dr. William H. Masters, has been charged with exposing himself to a sheriff's deputy and another woman who were posing as recreational kayakers as part of a sting operation on a Michigan river. Huron County Sheriff Kelly Hanson says a completely nude Masters yelled for the women's attention Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012, then made obscene gestures. (AP Photo/Huron County Sheriff) (credit:AP/Huron County Sheriff)
'Rules 2 Da game of Hoez!!!'(09 of19)
Open Image Modal
Sandra Russell and Steve McDaniel allegedly had a list of pimp game rules with them when they were arrested on charges of drugs and prostitution.READ THIS LIST. (credit:Suffolk County Sheriff)
Tracey Smith(10 of19)
Open Image Modal
This budding martial artist allegedly told deputies she was the "Karate Kid" before biting and slapping them
Dajuan Porter(11 of19)
Open Image Modal
A DJ allegedly broke into the homes of men he saw at clubs and parties and performed oral sex on them as they slept, according to police in Pennsylvania. Harrisburg police said that Dajuan Porter, 27, stalked three men and sexually assaulted them in their homes, according to WHP-TV. (credit:Harrisburg Police Dept. )
James Crittenden(12 of19)
Open Image Modal
He allegedly lit a toilet on fire at a gas station. For religious reasons. After huffing 10 cans of Reddi-wip. Because the U.S. Constitution says he can. 'Nuff said. (credit:LMDC)
William Bonner(13 of19)
Open Image Modal
Why is this man's head on fire? Because he lit it on fire. Bonner allegedly bet his bar buddies that he could pour a shot of 151 on his head and light the alcohol. And he did. Great job! (credit:WJBF)
Ilyass Nabih and Thony Sengsoulya(14 of19)
Open Image Modal
Ilyass Nabih and Thony Sengsoulya, both of Nashua, New Hampshire, were arrested on drug charges in June 2012 after authorities spotted them allegedly trying to shoot up heroin while parked outside the Lawrence Police Station in Massachusetts. (credit:Lawrence Police Department)
Vladimir Mishkov(15 of19)
Open Image Modal
Mishkov is accused of masturbating in front of a jail employee on his way to court to face a previous flashing charge. (credit:Courtesy of King County Sheriff's Office)
Ray Woods(16 of19)
Open Image Modal
Ray Woods allegedly tied 89 bags of heroin and cocaine to his penis. When cops found him out, he reportedly urinated all over himself. Read more.
Andrew Toothman(17 of19)
Open Image Modal
He had a real sweet tooth. Cops say they found 22-year-old Andrew Toothman lying down inside Kentucky Food World IGA market on Feb. 2, completely covered in chocolate and peanut butter. He'd also allegedly written "Sorry" in NyQuil on the floor. Read more here. (credit:Letcher County Jail)
Timothy Paul Shelby(18 of19)
Open Image Modal
Shelby, 53, was arrested in South Florida on June 1, 2012 for driving without a license -- immediately after leaving a courthouse after he appeared for the same offense.
Levon Davis(19 of19)
Open Image Modal
Levon Davis used a picture of his girlfriend for target practice with his rifle. That's not illegal -- but it is against the law to accidentally shoot that bullet into your neighbor's house. He was charged with negligent use of a firearm. (credit:Stockton Police)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip