Nypd hunts citi bike crew behind string of headphone robberies across manhattan

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.

――――――――――――――――――――

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.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.