Police: Robbery Suspect Targeting 'A' Train Commuters In Brooklyn, Queens
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are trying to find a suspect who has been targeting morning rush hour commuters in a series of armed subway robberies in Brooklyn and Queens over the last month.
Police said there have been at least three incidents since Aug. 1.
In the first two robberies, police said the suspect, armed with a gun, approached a rider on a Queens-bound A train and demanded property. He then jumped off at the 80th Street station in Ozone Park.
1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reports
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In the third incident this past Sunday, the suspect again robbed a commuter at gunpoint, but this time hopped off near the Shepard Avenue station in Brooklyn, police said.
Two of the victims were women ages 19 and 27. The third victim was a 21-year-old man.
"Not surprising to me that it's happening, that women are the target," commuter Katrina Armstead told CBS 2's Kathryn Brown. "I really suggest that women carry purses that have long straps that go around them so maybe prevent it from happening."
But news of the alleged attacks has many straphangers on edge. Monique Ratliff said she takes the train every day, but is now changing her routine. She said she's no longer waiting for her train on the platform and instead, is staying in plain sight of MTA workers.
"I'm normally down there but today I'm up here so I can see what's going on," she said.
Police said a person they are looking to question in connection with the case was seen on surveillance video. The suspect is believed to be between 20- and 25-years-old and 5-feet-10-inches to 6-feet tall.
Anyone with information should call police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.
