Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
iPhone Mugging in Harlem Leads to Candid Cop Remarks
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 7, 2008
Modified Oct 7, 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 Oct 7, 2008
Modified Oct 7, 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
NYC the Blog details a mugging on 145h Street in Harlem. When a man was leaving the subway station, one person grabbed his iPhone, a second assailant tried to steal his wallet, and a third punched him and punched him again when he was lying on the ground. Luckily, a passer-by yelled, called the police (the perps fled) and helped the victim. The passer-by also asked, "I thought this area was getting better?" but the cop responded, "No. And unfortunately, this tends to happen a lot, and often they will pick on people who look like they don't live in the neighborhood." The cop also mentioned a man, who had been mugged three times, called the precinct to ask for the police to escort him since he's so scared: "The officer responded slightly sheepishly, 'we don't do that,' suggesting instead that 'he move out of the neighborhood.'"
Tagged
assault
harlem
iphone theft
mugging
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
In East Brooklyn, aging NYCHA homes get a $636M upgrade
The improvements to at the Reid & Park Rock developments come has the agency wrestles with a multibillion-dollar backlog in needed repairs.
By
Willow Higgins
Published Oct 26, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
What NYers can expect as open enrollment for health insurance begins
Some consumers will face higher prices partly brought on by federal spending cuts.
By
Caroline Lewis
News
What NYers can expect as open enrollment for health insurance begins
Some consumers will face higher prices partly brought on by federal spending cuts.
By
Caroline Lewis
Why New Yorkers should care about bats beyond spooky season
By
Catalina Gonella
Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election
By
Jill Webb
and
Michael Sol Warren
Retired NYPD detective charged in George Washington Bridge killing out on $1M bail
By
Michael Sol Warren
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 .