Daily News from New York, New York • 392

DAILY NEWS, THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 1978 8 ou Lady Was a IPucse Suspect IFimdIs Sephus reportedly told the arresting officers he had grabbed the purse because he was hungry after a long day playing basketball. i I The incident, which occurred Tuesday, was of three of thsi type that produced five arrests recently involving the South Senior Citizens Robbery Unit. For such work, the Knit has received a letter of congratulations from Mayor Koch. It is one; of 7 throughout the city to be so recognized by City Hall. crowd that had formed to look for a missing 3-year-old boy.

While people wore milling about, police said, Sephus twice brushed past Barberi, grabbing her purse and attempting to flee down Martense St. on his third pass. Hungry From Playing Basketball Police said that Barberi's backup team of Lt. Frank Rabill and Officers William Lohse and Abraham Hurdato seized Sephus just as he was clearing the crowd. By THOMAS RAFTERY and ROBERT GELINE A would-be purse snatcher was arrested with the aid of a member of the Brooklyn South Senior Citizens Robbery Unit who was disguised as an elderly woman police said yesterday.

Police said that Ronald Sephus, 21, of 58 Argyle Road, dressed as a jogger, tried to grab the purse of Officer Diane Barberl near 858 Flatbush Ave. According to police, Sephus took advantage of a Koch, tarey Open Brive 7o Aid Firms ail r2ssP8 News ptioto by car mint Donofrio Firemen inspecting debris at scene of blast in Howard Beach, Queens, restaurant yesterday. Eatery IBIastt Critically Injures Alan; By MARTIN KING Gov. Carey and Mayor Koch visited the South Bronx yesterday to help launch a joint effort by the city, state and federal government to strengthen existing businesses and encourage new ones. They arrived at the South Bronx Business Assistance Center at 2923 Third Ave.

where the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State Department of Commerce and the city Office of Economic Development opened an office which will provide a variety of counseling services to business people. Deputy Mayor Herman Badillo and SBA Administrator A Vernon Weaver also joined other local elected officials and scores of Bronx businessmen for the dedication ceremonles.On Way Back In "The revitalization of the economy Is the linchpin in our efforts to bring New York back to its position of preeminence among the 50 states," Carey told a roomful of assembled guests. Koch pointed out that lt was the first time in this country that federal, state and city resources and staff have been consolidated in a single location to assist business and said that it indicated "a visible sign of government's commitment to the ecomomic renaissance of the South Bronx." Carey and Badillo then went on a walking and handshaking tour of the kSouth Bronx neighborhood. They paused frequently to chat with the many storeowners along Third Ave.

between 149th and 151st. Sts. Carey ate a hot dog and had a soft drink at Lorry's stand at 150th St. The services will include Information from starting a busness to advice on increasing profits and individual problems solved by government By HARRY DANYLUK and FRANK MAZZA An unidentified man about 30 years old was burned critically when an explosion ripped through a two-story restaurant in Howard Beach, Queens, at 4:18 a.m. yesterday just two hours after closing.

The victim, who was listed as John Doe at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical center in Manhattan, was reported to have burns over 90 fhis body. Found Injured Man He was found in an alleway adjoining the Little Cricket Steak House at 164 49 Cross Bay Blvd. by two patrolmen who rushed to the scene shortly after the first of two explosions lifted the roof off the restaurant. Patrolman Alan Thompson and George Zacharczuk of the Ozone Park station said they were a few blocks from the scene when the blast occurred. "We rushed to the scene and just as we arrived a second blast let go," said Thompson.

While putting in a call for assistance, the officers discovered the injured man in a narrow, four-foot wide alleyway between the restaurant and the Surfside Three motel. About 23 persons were evacuated from the motel, but a preliminary investigation showed no structural damage to the unit. Th3 explosion, touched off a two-alarm fire which took the Fir Department one hour to bring it under control The restaurant was completely destroyed. Eyewitness Jccount The explosion and fire were listed as suspicious. Fire marshals and the Queens District Attorney's arson and disaster unit headed by Joshua Suffman were investigating.

Suffman said he was unable to interview the burn victim be-cause of his extensive injuries. An eyewitness to the blast gave this account: Thomas Goebler, 34, who runs a bait and tackle shop across the street from the Little Cricket said he saw a man walk into the restaurant minutes before the explosions. "I couldn't believe my eyes," said Goebler. "I'm sitting outside the store and all of a sudden I heard a boom and I see the whole roof leave the building. I hear two more explosions after that and the walls caved in.

I saw someone go in just before the first explosion," Goebler recalled. Detective Vhilip Passante- of the Ozone Park, station said that a loaded revolver was found in the rubble. Feveral names were listed as owners of the restaurant, but the district attorney's office refused to reveal them. Work Starts on Hyatt Motel, Replacing By JOHN LEWIS Construction of the New York Hyatt Hotel, a $90 million building which will replace the Commodore Hote on Lexington Ave. and 42d St.

Started yesterday with Gov. Carey, Mayor Koch and former Mayor Beame taking part in the ceremony. The 1.400-room, 30-story hotel is expected to be completed in late 1980 and to support 1,300 permanent jobs. It is being developed by the Hyatt Hotels and the Trump Organization, with financial incentives such as tax relief and technical assistance from the city and the Urban Development Corp. The construction of the new hotel, Utilizing the Skeleton of the old hotel, is seen as a first step in the revitalization of the Grand Central area.

Donald Trump, the president of the Trump Organization, said that the hotel will be one of the most expensive ever built, and he added that tho project has already created en unprecedented flurry of building activity in the midtown area. Gov Lauds City Hall Carey praised the Kooh and Beame administrations for getting the city to cut through red tape and said that the UDC has demonstrated a unique power to make economic development available throughout the state. The hotel will contain a number of executive suites, including the presidential suite (parlor, living room, four bedrooms, meeting and dining rooms, and wet bar); several ballrooms; a gourmet specialty and breakfast-lunch-and-dinner restaurants; cocktail and entertainment lounges and meeting rooms. The facade will be mirrored, silver glass to reflect the nearby landmarks such as the Chrysler and Chanin Buildings and Grand Central Terminal Inside, an atrium lobby will be decorated with planters and fountains. I During the ceremony, held on the Park Ae.

ramp adjoining 41he hotel, Koch and Carey were given personalized hard hats. Koch sold his to a television cameraman for $15 which he said he would donate to the city treasury. Carey gave his away free. Beame did not get a hat. He just walked silently away.

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