On May 13, a couple of Fujianese immigrants who own a takeout restaurant in Syracuse, upstate New York, sat in a law firm in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens and recounted to reporters a gunpoint robbery that occurred three weeks ago.
It was April 21, a Sunday close to noon, when Chen Qiping, the owner of the “China Cafe” takeout restaurant in downtown Syracuse, received his first order of the day to deliver to 912 Caleb Ave.
Prepared with the food order, Chen got into his newly bought Honda and headed out. Upon arrival at 912 Caleb Ave, he parked his car. However, the customer then requested delivery to the neighboring 917, a two-story house.
As Chen entered the corridor, he was suddenly held at gunpoint from behind. The robber was a tall, skinny African-American man with a big beard and a hooded sweatshirt. Chen couldn’t see his face clearly but heard him calmly ask, “Your life or your car?”
The robber reached for Chen’s keys, and in the process, tore his pants where the keys were attached, cutting Chen’s thumb and drawing blood. Flustered, Chen forgot what to do next.
The thief then rushed outside, hopped into the driver’s seat, and started the car in reverse. It was only then that Chen remembered to shout for help in English, “Help! Help!”
Around 11:50 am on that Sunday, a group of elderly men and women who had just finished Mass at the nearby church came out and upon hearing Chen’s cries, they quickly surrounded the robber who was attempting to drive away.
Realizing the situation was turning against him, the thief abandoned the car and fled back into the 917 house.
Police arrived promptly. Chen later mentioned that the quick police response was partly due to an elderly lady living at 912 not appreciating him parking there and calling the police, and also because two police officers in Syracuse had recently sacrificed their lives, and their colleagues were holding a memorial service that week.
Chen recounted seeing dozens of police officers, including SWAT teams and snipers, arriving because the perpetrator was armed.
The street was cordoned off, and warnings were issued to the 917 house for 12 hours. At midnight, the thief’s mother was summoned by the police, and eventually, they stormed the house and apprehended the criminal.
According to reports from “Syracuse.com,” the culprit, Deacan Dahlquist, aged 38, had a criminal record in Connecticut, and had committed several armed robberies in different states, making him a dangerous, wanted felon. Five days later, Chen positively identified Dahlquist in front of a grand jury, and he has since been extradited to Connecticut. If convicted, Dahlquist could face a 20-year sentence.
Recounting the incident to reporters on the 13th, Chen expressed lingering fear and reluctance to deliver food to strangers’ homes, opting to wait for customers outside. This precaution, however, leads to financial losses as not all customers come out to collect their orders.
Having emigrated from Fuzhou to the United States in 1998, Chen and his wife opened the restaurant in Syracuse in 2011. Despite the meager profits from the takeout business, it serves to support their family and raise their children.
Chen reflected on his luck, considering that the criminal was armed and police had been called to the 917 address the previous day. It seemed the robbery was solely to escape with Chen’s car, leaving him deeply shaken.
This terrifying two-minute ordeal was a wake-up call for Chen, making him realize the fragility of life and safety.
Expressing concern over declining public safety, Chen emphasized the importance of vigilance in light of their first encounter with such a situation after many years in the United States, even in broad daylight in what was considered a safe neighborhood.
Having been deeply traumatized, Chen plans to consult a psychologist to cope with the aftermath. Additionally, after years of being in the US without obtaining a green card, he intends to seek legal assistance to apply for a victim’s U visa, hoping to turn this misfortune into an opportunity to resolve his immigration status.