Brooklyn detectives are investigating after a man was found dead in the back of a cab in Coney Island following an apparent robbery on Tuesday evening.
According to law enforcement sources, police found 53-year-old Michael Shelonchik of Bergen Beach, Brooklyn, unconscious and unresponsive in the rear of a taxi on Avenue Y and East 3rd Street at around 6:17 p.m. on Jan. 21 after receiving a 911 call.
EMS rushed him to Maimonides Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Police reported that responding officers did not immediately notice any apparent signs of trauma. However, sources familiar with the investigation say that Shelonchik was beaten just prior to being found dead.
The sources say Shelonchik hired a taxi service to take him to 5th Street and Neptune Avenue earlier that evening, where he left the car to meet with several other individuals. A few moments later, the cab driver reported seeing the victim running back toward him while being chased by two men. Shelonchik climbed into the back of the vehicle, where the assailants reportedly punched him several times before ripping his chain from his neck and fleeing.
Shelonchik told the driver to “go, go, go,” but as they sped away, the passenger struggled to breathe and slipped into unconsciousness before later passing away. An exact cause of death has yet to be determined.
No arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding this incident can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (formerly Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
