L.I. teenager charged with attempted murder in attack of sleeping Levittown woman

A 16-year-old Island Trees High School student is out on bail after his arrest in connection with the attack last month of a Levittown woman in her home as she slept in her bed.

A residential street in North Levittown at night, near Hempstead Turnpike. The neighborhood is considered a low crime community.Photo byC.J. Teevan

In an official bulletin about "a possible burglary" in the 8th Precinct at 2:30 a.m. on June 9, 2024, Nassau County Police reported what little they knew so far: "A female victim, 64, was asleep in her home when she was awoken by an unknown subject striking her in the face with an unknown object. The subject fled scene in an unknown direction."

The crime was heavily covered in the press. But no one was arrested.

Desperate for clues identifying the intruder, the Nassau County Police Department urged people with information about the attack to call Crime Stoppers, promising a reward "up to $5,000" for information leading to the suspect's arrest.

Now, say police, they have him.

Eight Precinct Police vehicle arrives for a recent investigation on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown, Long Island.Photo byC.J. Teevan

The teenager, whose name is withheld because of his age, was arrested on Felony Burglary, Felony Assault, and Attempted Murder charges and a Misdemeanor charge for possession of a weapon. He pleaded Not Guilty.

How police found him -- and what his motive was for the attack -- remain confidential.

Judge Teresa Corrigan initially ordered the boy Remanded -- held without bail. But two weeks later, at the next court session, the boy's lawyer, New York attorney Craig Hayes, pleaded for bail, promising his young client would be supervised. Judge Corrigan set bail at $250,000 bond. It was posted, and he was released to his parents.

Hayes is privately retained.

The teenager's next court date was scheduled for July 25, 2024, but he has an unscheduled appearance before Judge Tammy Robbins in the Mineola Courthouse.

The Mineola Courthouse complex in Mineola, N.Y., where Felony cases are processed.Photo byC.J. Teevan