NYPD | Christian Cruz Denied Bail in Queens Shooting of Off-Duty Lieutenant

Christian Cruz, 19, who is accused of taking part in the botched robbery that left Lt. Nathan Yakubov wounded, was denied bail at arraignment Saturday afternoon.

During an eight-minute proceeding in Queens Criminal Court, it was revealed that Cruz has three additional open felony cases, including a Bronx matter that involves possession of a loaded handgun.

Cruz faces a raft of charges — including attempted murder — in the mugging of Yakubov outside La Boom nightclub in Woodside early Thursday.

Cruz was caught at 5:30 a.m. after being treated for gunshot wounds at BronxCare Hospital Center. He was carrying the $1,000 gold chain, police sources said.

Cruz was easily identified by surveillance video from the nightclub wearing the same two-tone black and blue pants and dark-colored hoodie as he was when being tended to for his back and buttocks gunshot wounds, the sources said.

Cruz and two others allegedly ambushed Yakubov as he was walking to his Jaguar SUV the morning of Dec. 16 outside of La Boom, police said.

“We believe these individuals were attempting to rob the officer, possibly of jewelry that the officer was wearing. Moments later there was an exchange of gunfire between the officer and at least one of the perpetrators,” Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said.

Sources said the men may have been after the lieutenant’s gold chain.

The lieutenant fired eight shots and at least one suspect fired nine, according to police.

The lieutenant and a suspect were rushed to Elmhurst Hospital, where the suspect was pronounced dead. The lieutenant was listed in critical, but stable condition.

Ramierik Lopez, 20, is believed to have shot Yakubov, before a fierce firefight ensued — killing Lopez and injuring Cruz — who managed to make off with the critically wounded lieutenant’s $1,000 gold chain, authorities said. A third suspect remains at-large.

Lopez, 20, died at Elmhurst after being shot in the chest and stomach as his comrades fled, cops said.

Yakubov, 44, who, who was found bleeding from the mouth with multiple gunshot wounds to his body, told responding officers to “call my wife, they tried to rob me. I shot them,” as he lay wounded, sources said.

Yakubov was taken to Elmhurst Hospital in critical but stable condition, police said.

A wounded off-duty NYPD lieutenant yelled “call my wife” after being shot outside a Queens nightclub earlier this week, sources revealed Saturday, as a reputed gangbanger allegedly responsible for the crime was ordered held in jail

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