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Man Keeps Cutting Sleeping L Train Riders' Pockets To Steal Their Wallets & Cellphones


By

Jen Chung

Published Apr 19, 2017

Modified Apr 19, 2017


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Stephen Rees / Flickr


By

Jen Chung

Published Apr 19, 2017

Modified Apr 19, 2017


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Police believe the same man has robbed six sleeping subway riders and tried to rob another on the L train in February and March. His M.O.: Using an "unknown sharp object" to cut the victims' pockets.

All the incidents occurred between midnight and 5 a.m., on the L line in Brooklyn. Here are the NYPD's descriptions of the grand larcenies:

Incident 1: (83 Pct) It was reported to the police that on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 0205 hours, while aboard the southbound "L", the individual used an unknown sharp object to cut the rear pants pocket of the 22-year old male victim while he was asleep and removed the victim's cellphone and bank card. The victim made the discovery when the train entered the Bushwick Avenue and Aberdeen Street subway station.

Incident 2: (69 Pct) It was reported to the police that on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at 0045 hours, while aboard the southbound "L", the individual used an unknown sharp object to cut the rear pants pocket of the 23-year old male victim while he was asleep and removed the victim's wallet. The victim made the discovery when the train entered the Glenwood Road and Rockaway Parkway subway station.

Incident 3: (83 Pct) It was reported to the police that on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 0230 hours, while aboard a southbound "L"train the individual used an unknown sharp object to cut the front and rear pants pocket of the 21-year old male victim while he was asleep and removed the victim's wallet and cellphone. The victim made the discovery when the train entered the Wyckoff Avenue and Dekalb Avenue subway station.

Incident 4: (73 Pct) It was reported to the police that on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at 0415 hours while aboard the southbound "L," the individual used an unknown sharp object to cut the front pocket of the 28-year old male victim and attempted to remove the victim's property. The individual was unsuccessful and the victim made the discovery when the train entered the Havens Place and Atlantic Avenue subway station.

Incident 5: (73 Pct) It was reported to the police that on April 2, 2017 at 0300 hours while aboard the southbound "L" train between the Broadway Subway Station and the Sutter Avenue subway station , the individual used an unknown sharp object to cut the rear pants pocket of the 27-year male victim and removed his wallet. The individual exits the train as it entered the Sutter Avenue subway and flees to parts unknown.

Incident 6: (69 Pct ) It was reported to the police that on Monday , April 2, 2017 at 0500 hours while aboard the southbound "L," the individual used an unknown sharp object to cut the front pocket of the 39-year old male and removed his wallet. The victim made the discovery when the train entered the Glenwood Road and Rockaway Parkway subway station.

Incident 7: (69 Pct) It was reported to the police that on Monday , April 2, 2017 at 0500 hours while aboard the southbound "L," the individual used an unknown sharp object to cut the front pocket of the 24-year old male and removed his wallet. The victim made the discovery when the train entered the Farragut Road and East 105 Street.

Cops say the man is approximately 30-40 years old, 5-8"-6" and 180-190 pounds. He was last seen wearing a light blue button up shirt, black NY hat, blue jeans and black sneakers. Surveillance footage was also released:

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS or for Spanish 1-888-57-PISTA (74782)
The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

Tagged

brooklyn

grand larcenies

l train

pocket robber


Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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