Man on Citi Bike stole phone, shoved 2 women in Central Park crime spree: NYPD
NEW YORK (PIX11) --- Authorities are searching for a Citi Bike-rider who went on a crime spree in Central Park Sunday night, police said.
The suspect stole a 15-year-old girl's cellphone while trying to rob several parkgoers in a span of a little over an hour, according to the NYPD. None of the victims were injured.
The thief shoved a 42-year-old woman to the ground when she refused to give him her bag near 86th West Drive at around 7:50 p.m., police said. Twenty minutes later, authorities said the suspect forced a teen to hand over her phone and unlock it with the password near 72nd West Drive.
The man then snatched a 37-year-old woman's hat after she intervened in a fight between the suspect and a woman near 79th West Drive at around 8:40 p.m. The suspect pretended to have a gun before he took the $20 hat, police said.
The man also pushed a woman, 37, to the ground when she wouldn't hand over her belongings near 109th East Drive, officials said.
The suspect fled on a Citi Bike after each incident, according to the NYPD. There have been no arrests.
Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the New York City area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.