Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Robber Targets Morning Subway Commuters
By
Jen Chung
Published May 16, 2008
Modified May 16, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published May 16, 2008
Modified May 16, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The police are searching for a man who robs subway passengers during their morning commutes. He targets his victims on the subway platform, grabs their purses and then runs into the subway tunnels.
The suspect has committed four robberies in the past five days, all during the morning rush hour, all with female victims. Here's a list of the robberies, via WNBC:
The man first struck at approximately 8:30 a.m. Sunday on the L subway at 14th Street and First Avenue, police said. The man approached a 24-year-old female who was sitting on a platform bench, grabbed her purse and then fled, police said.
Two days later, at about 9:20 a.m. on the 1 subway at Seventh Avenue South and Christopher Street, the suspect approached a 38-year-old woman, grabbed her purse and then fled.
The next morning, at about 9:05 a.m., the same man is believed to have approached a 30-year-old woman on the L subway at 14th Street and Third Avenue, grabbed her purse and then fled into the subway tunnel for a third time.
His most recent attack was just after 7:30 a.m. on the northbound 6 platform at Lafayette and Bleeker streets. He is said to have approached a 27-year-old woman’s purse before fleeing into the subway tunnel.
The NYPD released a sketch of the suspect, described as a man who is age 30 to 35 years old and approximately 5'9", with a medium build. Call Crimestoppers (800-577-TIPS) with any information.
Tagged
crime
purse snatcher
robbery
subway
subway crime
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani says he's 'confident' NYC will collect $500 million with pied-à-terre tax
The city’s Department of Finance granted more than 8,800 of the roughly 11,000 exemption applications.
By
Elizabeth Kim
and
David Brand
Published Oct 29, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. ET
NYPD won't enforce NYC's bus fare while MTA security force is suspended
The MTA has suspended its fare enforcement unit after a series of confrontations with riders. The NYPD said it won't step in to ensure riders pay.
By
Clayton Guse
and
Ramsey Khalifeh
News
NYPD won't enforce NYC's bus fare while MTA security force is suspended
The MTA has suspended its fare enforcement unit after a series of confrontations with riders. The NYPD said it won't step in to ensure riders pay.
By
Clayton Guse
and
Ramsey Khalifeh
15-year-old boy shot and killed Thursday morning in the Bronx, NYPD says
By
Charles Lane
How NYC voters could determine outcome of race for governor
By
Jon Campbell
Early Addition: Is the Cheesecake Factory vs. the Amtrak buttercake our new culture war?
By
James Ramsay
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .