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Suspect Wanted For Snatching Pricey Smartphones From F Train Riders
By
Jen Chung
Published May 22, 2018
Modified May 22, 2018
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By
Jen Chung
Published May 22, 2018
Modified May 22, 2018
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Police say the same person is responsible for stealing subway riders' expensive cellphones—just as the train doors open—in four separate incidents in April and May.
All of the crimes occurred in the 107th Precinct, and a police spokesperson said that the suspect was either on the train or on the subway platform when he struck. Here are the details from the NYPD:
Incident #1
On Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at approximately 1300 hours, a 19 year old male victim was riding aboard a southbound "F" train in the vicinity of Van Wyck Boulevard and Briarwood Station. When the train stopped in the station and the train doors opened, an unknown male individual snatched the phone from the victim's hands and fled topside to parts unknown. The phone had an estimated value of approximately $900. No injuries were reported.Incident #2:
On Friday, April 20, 2018, at approximately 1730 hours, a 31 year old female victim was riding aboard a southbound "F" train in the vicinity of Parsons Boulevard Station. When the train stopped in the station and the train doors opened, an unknown male individual snatched the phone from the victim's hands and fled topside to parts unknown. The phone had an estimated value of approximately $800. No injuries were reported.Incident #3:
On Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at approximately 1030 hours, a 43 year old female victim was riding aboard a northbound "F" train in the vicinity of 169th Street Station. When the train stopped in the station and the train doors opened, an unknown male individual snatched the phone from the victim's hands and fled topside to parts unknown. The phone had an estimated value of approximately $900. No injuries were reported.Incident #4:
On Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at approximately 1220 hours, a 35 year old male victim was riding aboard a southbound "F" train in the vicinity of Parsons Boulevard. When the train stopped in the station and the train doors opened, an unknown male individual snatched the phone from the victim's hands and fled topside to parts unknown. The phone had an estimated value of approximately $900. No injuries were reported.
The NYPD released surveillance video of the suspect, who is described as being in his 20s, around 5'10" and 175 pounds, from the May 1 incident. Last seen wearing a black jacket, black knapsack and blue jeans, he is wanted for grand larceny.
Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) 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 by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
Tagged
cellphone robbery
f train
grand larceny
subway
subway crime
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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