Police: Man Targeted Women In 5 Robberies Around Manhattan
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police on Thursday were searching for a mugger who has been targeting women, primarily on the East Side of Manhattan.
As CBS2's Tony Aiello reported, surveillance video showed the suspect trying and failing to use a stolen credit card to buy sneakers. He was seen wearing a distinctive puffer winter coat.
Police said the mugger has struck at least five times in the last five weeks. He has targeted women ranging in age from 22 to 71.
• On Thursday, Jan. 14 at 8:35 p.m., police said the suspect followed a 27-year-old woman into a residential building at 12th Street and Third Avenue in the East Village. He went on to follow the woman into the elevator, simulated a gun inside his jacket, and demanded cash, police said. The woman handed over $150 and the man fled, police said.
• On Thursday, Jan. 21 at 10:34 p.m., the suspect came up to a 22-year-old woman in the rear of a Gristedes grocery store at 1343 Lexington Ave. on the Upper East Side, police said. The man took out a gun and demanded cash, and the woman handed over $20, police said.
• On Friday, Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m., the man followed a 30-year-old woman into a building near 92nd Street and Third Avenue on the Upper East Side and into the elevator, police said. The man said he had a gun and demanded cash, and the woman handed over $60 and a MetroCard, police said.
• On Thursday, Feb. 11 at 6:50 p.m., the man followed a 25-year-old woman into a residential building on 25th Street and Ninth Avenue in Chelsea, and into her apartment, police said. He said he had a gun simulated one, and demanded valuables, police said. The woman handed over her Bank of America debit card, her ID, $50, a watch, and other jewelry valued at $5,300, police said.
• On Thursday, Feb. 16, at 6:58 p.m., the man followed a 71-year-old woman into her building at 76th Street and Second Avenue on the Upper East Side and into the stairwell, police said. The man again said he had a gun and simulated one from his pocket, and demanded cash, police said. The woman handed over $280, police said.
None of the victims was injured.
Police released a surveillance photo and video showing the man trying to use the debit card he allegedly took from the woman in the Chelsea incident at a sneaker shop on West 125th Street.
In the wake of the robberies, East Side resident Nina Lico said she now has a plan if a mugger demands her wallet.
"Throw it and run, so they go after the wallet and turn their back on you," Lico said.
Suzanne Cunningham said she would hand over her purse.
"That or be dead – and I don't carry that much money," she said, "so it doesn't matter."
Police said in general, when there is a threat of a weapon, it is safest to give up your possessions.
Anyone with information on the robbery or the suspect was asked to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS or (888) 57-PISTA for Spanish, log onto the Crime Stoppers website, or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577.
