Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Pickpocketing suspects sought in string of Bryant Park thefts
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Dec 6, 2022
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 .
NYPD
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Dec 6, 2022
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
Police are looking for a couple suspected of pickpocketing 17 people in Manhattan's Bryant Park over the course of three weeks last month.
All the reported crimes occurred while the Bryant Park Winter Village, a popular and often packed tourist attraction, was in full swing
The first theft was reported to police on Sunday Nov. 20, when a 29-year-old woman was bumped into around 7:15 p.m., cops said. She later realized her Gucci bag and credit card had disappeared.
Surveillance footage shows one of the two suspects wanted for a string of pickpocket incidents in Manhattan.
NYPD
On Thanksgiving Day, three people were reportedly pickpocketed. Around 8:35 a.m., a 41-year-old woman was bumped into before realizing her credit cards and MetroCards were gone. Three hours later, another 41-year-old woman was bumped into, and discovered her iPhone was missing. The same happened to an 18-year-old woman at 2 p.m., the NYPD said.
The next 13 crimes were reportedly identical as described by police — an unsuspecting victim is bumped into inside the park, only to later realize they’re missing their cellphone phone, wallet, Apple Airpods or other valuables.
The suspected duo’s victims included 15 women and two men, ranging from 18 to 67 years old.
Several of the reported incidents included victims of the same age who were missing the same items. The NYPD initially tied the suspects to 18 separate incidents between Nov. 20 and Dec. 3. But the department later clarified over the phone that one of the incidents was a mistake, bringing the total down to 17.
The NYPD said large crowds provide the perfect cover for pickpockets to steal people’s valuables. To avoid falling victim, the NYPD suggests people carry their bag close to their body and wallets in their front pockets. Only carry the cash and credit cards you need, and be aware of being bumped into frequently.
Tagged
public safety
manhattan
news
Catalina Gonella
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Pressure grows on Mamdani to reform admissions to NYC specialized high schools
A former top-school official will join councilmembers and other prominent educators at an event focused on specialized high schools.
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 26, 2026 at 4:03 p.m. ET
Police search for man in Central Park sexual assault
A 39-year-old woman was attacked near East 66th Street and Fifth Avenue on Saturday night, police said. No arrests had been made as of Monday.
By
Charles Lane
News
Police search for man in Central Park sexual assault
A 39-year-old woman was attacked near East 66th Street and Fifth Avenue on Saturday night, police said. No arrests had been made as of Monday.
By
Charles Lane
Rockefeller Center's 2026 Christmas tree is a 76-foot spruce from Upstate New York
By
Giulia Heyward
‘A killer cop lives here’: Brooklyn arrests raise questions about limits of free speech
By
Ben Feuerherd
What to expect and avoid in NYC’s Halloween, voting, marathon and daylight saving weekend
By
Catalina Gonella
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 .