Plea in attacks against elderly
NYPD seeks help with ‘serial mugger’
Cops are looking to short-circuit this one-man crime wave.
The mugger has been targeting older victims in Harlem and The Bronx, the NYPD said.
The suspect is wanted for six “strong arm” robberies between August and October 2020. All the victims are men who were followed into their buildings and then threatened, said cops, who released a photo and a video in connection with the crimes.
None of the victims was seriously injured, police said, adding there was “no mention of words exchanged” during the creepy confrontations.
The crime spree began Aug. 28 at 1:15 p.m. when a 78-year-old man was followed into a building in the vicinity of East 167th Street and Gerard Avenue in The Bronx, cops said.
The robber struck again on Sept. 18 at approximately 1:50 p.m., following a 63-year-old man into a building in the vicinity of East 151th Street and River Avenue, also in The Bronx.
Just 40 minutes later, at 2:30 p.m., a 63-year-old male was followed into a building in the vicinity of East 167th Street and Gerard Avenue.
Eight days later, on Sept. 26, at 3:10 p.m., an 80-year-old man was followed into a building in the vicinity of East 126th Street and Park Avenue in East Harlem and victimized.
On Sept. 29 at about 12:45 p.m., the robber struck again, this time following his 77-year-old victim into a building in the vicinity of Morris Avenue and East 156th Street in The Bronx.
The final incident occurred on Oct. 3 at 2:35 p.m. when the assailant followed a 63-year-old man into a building in the vicinity of West 155th Street and Saint Nicholas Avenue in Harlem.
Police believe the suspect is between 40 and 50 years old.
The NYPD released a photo of the suspect taken before the third incident.
“Suspects who target the elderly are counting on them not being able to identify them in a photo array or lineup,” Joseph Giacalone, a retired NYPD detective sergeant, told The Post on Saturday.
“A blitz-style attack from behind coupled with their age makes it nearly impossible. We’ve seen in one case where surveillance footage may help, but at the end of the day the victim must pick him out. An additional witness can help. If the public can’t get behind taking this guy off the street, then all is truly lost between police and community relations.”
Anyone with information in regard to these incidents is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).