Moped-riding thief snatches bags from women across NYC in grand larceny spree
NEW YORK, NY – Wednesday — A man on a purple moped has been terrorizing women across Brooklyn and Queens in a string of swift grab-and-go robberies, snatching purses, bags, and electronics before speeding off, police said.
The unidentified suspect is wanted in connection with at least three separate incidents spanning the 81st and 102nd Precincts, where he targeted women walking alone and fled the scenes on the same distinctive purple scooter. In each case, the man made off with personal belongings — including cash, cellphones, and cosmetics — but caused no physical injuries.
The first incident took place on Monday, July 14 around 2:35 p.m. in front of 101-16 77th Street in Queens, where a 59-year-old woman was approached and robbed of her purse, which contained her phone, $160, and two credit cards.
Six days later, on Sunday, July 20 at around 5:55 a.m., the same suspect is believed to have struck again—this time in Brooklyn—snatching a bookbag from a 33-year-old woman near 220 Malcolm X Boulevard. The bag contained her cellphone and AirPods.
Just a day later, on Monday, July 21 at 7:24 p.m., he allegedly rode up to an 18-year-old woman near Lefferts Boulevard and Metropolitan Avenue in Queens, stealing a shopping bag filled with makeup products.
All victims reported similar circumstances: a man with a dark complexion and medium build riding a purple moped who forcibly removed their belongings before vanishing from the scene.
The NYPD has released surveillance images and is urging the public to help identify the individual connected to this growing grand larceny pattern.
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Key Points
- Suspect on purple moped linked to three bag-snatching thefts in Queens and Brooklyn
- Victims were women aged 18 to 59 targeted in broad daylight and early morning hours
- Suspect described as male with a dark complexion and medium build remains at large
A purple moped and a string of bold daytime thefts have set off a cross-borough hunt for a slippery serial snatcher.