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Bronx man wakes up to a $39K nightmare after online meetup at hotel, NYPD says
By
Charles Lane
Published Nov 4, 2026 at 4:43 p.m. ET
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By
Charles Lane
Published Nov 4, 2026 at 4:43 p.m. ET
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A man who used a social media app to meet someone at a Bronx hotel told police he believed he was drugged and was robbed of nearly $40,000 in cash, along with his car and cellphone.
The NYPD is asking for the public’s help identifying a person shown in surveillance images wearing a hot pink dress, with tattoos on their chest and silver earrings.
The incident took place on Aug. 24 at the Tremont Hotel in the Bronx.
The 31-year-old man met the person there around 10 p.m. that Monday, police said, after previous meetups. At some point during the encounter, he fell asleep and two other men entered the room, according to police.
When he woke up, his car, cellphone, about $39,507 in cash and other belongings were missing, according to police. The two men were later identified, but the person in the pink dress fled on foot, police said.
The man's car was later recovered, police said.
Emergency medical workers took the man to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition, according to police. The man told investigators he believed he had been drugged, police officials said Wednesday.
Tagged
bronx
new york city
public safety
the bronx
Charles Lane
Charles is a Day-of reporter focused on breaking news and enterprise. He’s very friendly and can be reached at [email protected], or more securely on whatsapp/signal 631-295-6715
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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