Flushing, New York — A 25-year-old man was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Wednesday for his role in a violent home invasion that left a young woman traumatized in September 2022. Michael Fan was convicted in absentia after he absconded during his trial, prompting authorities to launch a manhunt that lasted nearly seven months.
Fan, along with two accomplices, forcibly entered the victim’s home on Parsons Boulevard in the early hours of September 7, 2022. Prosecutors detailed how the three men, clad in black and sporting masks, seized the 20-year-old woman and physically restrained her inside her apartment. They then burglarized her belongings, with Fan reportedly brandishing a knife and demanding her cell phone.
The situation escalated when the victim’s partner, who was in the basement, observed the attack via video surveillance. Recognizing the urgency, he called 911, alerting law enforcement to the unfolding crime. During this time, the victim managed to free herself from her restraints and ran outside to signal for help, leading officers to the scene.
Responding to the emergency call, a police officer from the 109th Precinct quickly spotted Fan through a window. As law enforcement arrived, all three perpetrators attempted to flee the scene. One of Fan’s accomplices, Sihao Wang, was apprehended shortly after dropping an air pistol during his escape. In his possession, officers found the victim’s cell phone. Another suspect, Dong Ming Shi, was taken into custody a few minutes later, while Fan remained elusive.
Officers continued their search, eventually locating Fan hiding under a deck in a nearby backyard, where they arrested him and recovered $1,441 in cash. His capture marked the conclusion of a lengthy pursuit after he had slipped away from a courtroom where he was supposed to be on trial for the serious charges against him.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz condemned Fan’s actions, stating that he not only inflicted harm on an innocent victim but also disrespected the judicial process by failing to comply with the court’s directives. Following the verdict, Justice Gary Miret imposed the maximum sentence, emphasizing the severity of the crime and the need for accountability.
Wang, one of Fan’s codefendants, accepted a plea deal earlier this year for attempted robbery and was sentenced to two years in prison along with a similar post-release supervision period. Meanwhile, the third suspect, Shi, is believed to have fled the country, adding an additional layer of complexity to the case.
The conviction and sentencing signal a commitment from local authorities to prioritize public safety and bring perpetrators of violent crimes to justice. The community remains on alert but relieved that justice has been served in this harrowing case.