Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYPD: Man Was Forced Into Car Outside Of Pianos On LES, Then Drugged And Robbed
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 17, 2018
Modified Aug 20, 2018
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 Aug 17, 2018
Modified Aug 20, 2018
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
A man was forced into a car outside of the popular Lower East Side bar and venue Pianos, and then drugged before being robbed. Now the police are hoping the public can help them identify a person of interest in the incident.

Image of suspect (NYPD)
The ordeal began around 2 a.m. on June 22, according to the NYPD, when three people approached a 27-year-old man outside Pianos, at 158 Ludlow Street. One person "ordered the victim to get into their vehicle, and after obeying, was ordered to ingest an unknown substance. The individuals brought the victim to Banco Popular, located at 1170 Castle Hill Avenue, and demanded that the victim remove money," police say.
After giving them $260 cash, the victim handed over his debit card, iPhone, and Longines watch and was dropped off near Bruckner Boulevard and East Tremont Avenue.
Police released an image of the person of interest, who is described as being male, 25-35 years old with a black mustache and beard.
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.
Tagged
bronx atm
Lower East Side
pianos
robbery
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
Man shot by ICE in NYC still has bullet lodged in neck, attorneys say
Oscar Belgal, a 28-year-old immigrant from the Dominican Republic, was in solitary confinement at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park on Monday.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Oct 12, 2026 at 11:37 a.m. ET
NY measles spread prompts 'disaster' emergency. It didn't have to be this way, health commissioner says.
The state health commissioner says the disease outbreak is wholly preventable.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
News
NY measles spread prompts 'disaster' emergency. It didn't have to be this way, health commissioner says.
The state health commissioner says the disease outbreak is wholly preventable.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
NYC wants to move deliveries onto the waterways. It's starting with a 55-year-old boat.
By
Liam Quigley
Inside the luxury Greenpoint high-rise powered by a rumbling generator for over a month
By
David Brand
Mayor Mamdani orders review of NYPD use of force policies
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 .