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NYPD: Same Bicyclist Keeps Snatching Cellphones From Pedestrians

Jen Chung

Published Jun 14, 2018

Modified Jun 14, 2018

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Jen Chung

Published Jun 14, 2018

Modified Jun 14, 2018

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Police are hoping the public can help them find a bicyclist who has been swiping cellphones from unsuspecting pedestrians.

The NYPD released a list of the seven incidents, which took place in the 19th, 23rd and 26th Precincts:

Incident #1 (23 Precinct)
It was reported to the police on Monday, May 28, 2018 at approximately 1515 hours, in front of 1445 Madison Avenue, a 33 year old female victim was holding her cell phone when an unknown male individual riding a bicycle grabbed the phone from her hand and rode away in an unknown direction. No injuries were reported. The phone had an estimated value of approximately $500.

Incident #2 (19 Precinct)
It was reported to the police on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at approximately 1820 hours, in the vicinity of Park Avenue and 61st Street, a 27 year old female victim was holding her cell phone when an unknown male individual riding a bicycle grabbed the phone from her hand and rode away east bound on 61st Street. No injuries were reported. The phone had an estimated value of approximately $1000.

Incident #3 (26 Precinct)
It was reported to the police on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at approximately 1910 hours, in the vicinity of Morningside Avenue and West 125th Street, a 25 year old female victim was holding her cell phone when an unknown male individual riding a bicycle grabbed the phone from her hand and rode away east bound on 125th Street. No injuries were reported. The phone had an estimated value of approximately $900.

Incident #4 (19 Precinct)
It was reported to the police on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at approximately 1900 hours, in the vicinity of Lexington Avenue and East 88 Street, a 31 year old female victim was holding her cell phone when an unknown male individual riding a bicycle attempted to grab the phone from her hand but was unsuccessful and rode away in an unknown direction. No injuries were reported.

Incident #5 (19 Precinct)
It was reported to the police on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at approximately 2030 hours, in the vicinity of Lexington Avenue and East 89th Street, a 34 year old female victim was holding her cell phone when an unknown male individual riding a bicycle grabbed the phone from her hand and rode away north bound on Lexington Avenue. No injuries were reported. The phone had an estimated value of approximately $500.

Incident #6 (23 Precinct)
It was reported to the police on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at approximately 2115 hours, in the vicinity of 1234 Fifth Avenue, a 48 year old male victim was holding his cell phone when an unknown male individual riding a bicycle grabbed the phone from his hand and rode away east bound on 104th Street. No injuries were reported. The phone had an estimated value of approximately $400.

Incident #7 (19 Precinct)
It was reported to the police on Monday, June 4, 2018 at approximately 1630 hours, in the vicinity of 76th Street and Third Avenue, a 41 year old male victim was holding his cell phone when an unknown male individual riding a bicycle grabbed the phone from his hand and rode away west bound on east 77th Street. No injuries were reported. The phone had an estimated value of approximately $1000.

Police also released images (above) and surveillance video of the suspect, who is described as being in his late teens to early 20s, from the third incident:

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

east harlem

grand larceny

upper east side

Upper West Side

Jen Chung

Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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