MANHATTAN, N.Y. – Police are searching for four individuals linked to a series of robberies in which victims were targeted for their headphones while walking on city streets, officials said Friday.
Between July 31 and Sept. 2, at least 12 incidents were reported in the 19th, 23rd, 25th, 26th, 28th, 30th and 34th Precincts. In most cases, the thieves approached victims while riding Citi bikes, snatched headphones directly from their heads, and fled the scene.
The pattern began on July 31 near Broadway and Cathedral Parkway, when a 19-year-old woman was robbed of her headphones. Similar incidents followed throughout August, striking victims ranging in age from 16 to 42.
While most victims were not injured, some were shoved, pulled by the hair, or struck during the robberies. One woman, attacked on Aug. 23 near Arden Street and Broadway, reported head pain after being hit but refused medical treatment.
The suspects were last seen on Citi bikes heading in various directions after the thefts, police said. Images of the individuals, captured during multiple incidents, have been released by the NYPD.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS or submit tips online at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/. Tips can also be sent via X @NYPDTips.
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Key Points
- Four suspects are wanted in at least 12 headphone robberies across Manhattan.
- Thieves often used Citi bikes to approach and flee the scenes.
- Victims ranged from teens to adults, with one reporting minor injury.
A Citi bike became the getaway ride in a Midtown and Uptown robbery spree.
