NEW YORK, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- A recently paroled robber convict in New York was accused of mugging women at the point of an ice pick in order to get money for family Christmas gifts.
John Martinez, 39, was paroled in September, but allegedly held up six women in elevators -- in one case, threatening to stab a small boy when the child's mother didn't fork over enough cash -- between Nov. 6 and Dec. 2, the New York Daily News reported Tuesday.
Martinez "stressed about how to afford everything for the holidays," the man's cousin, Kenny Colon, said after Martinez's arraignment in Bronx Supreme Court on two robbery charges.
Martinez was ordered held without bond.
"He was thinking about being good to his family and Christmas, not about hurting anybody. He just got out [of jail] and he couldn't afford presents," the cousin said, adding, "He's not a bad guy -- just broke. He's always been real into Christmas."
Martinez was paroled after serving an eight-year sentence for robbery.
