A daring masked robbery crew attempted to steal three women’s handbags, managing to successfully snatch one bag, in a series of incidents on the Upper East Side at the end of last month, as per police reports.
The group of five suspects, who appeared to be teenagers or young men, first targeted a 32-year-old woman walking on East 75th Street near Second Avenue at around 8:20 p.m. on Jan. 19. They forcefully took her handbag, which contained cash and credit cards, before fleeing the scene. Fortunately, the victim did not sustain any injuries during the ordeal.
Following this incident, the criminal group then tried to grab a 38-year-old woman’s purse at Third Avenue and East 78th Street. However, the woman managed to hold onto her bag, thwarting the attempted robbery. The suspects left empty-handed, and the victim declined medical attention for minor injuries.
After a two-day hiatus, the perpetrators approached a 71-year-old woman at Second Avenue and East 70th Street around 5:40 p.m. on Jan. 21. They made another attempt to steal her bag, but the senior citizen bravely held on, causing the suspects to flee once again without any stolen items. The elderly victim also sustained minor injuries but refused medical treatment.
The suspects, captured on surveillance footage passing through an emergency gate inside a subway station, had their hoods pulled up and wore black masks covering part of their faces. Despite the evidence, no arrests had been made as of Tuesday.
Individuals with information about the suspects are urged to contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish speakers. Tips can also be submitted online at the Crime Stoppers website or via @NYPDTips on social media platforms.
This series of brazen robberies serves as a reminder for residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities promptly.
