Detectives need the public’s help in finding a gun-toting bandit who robbed two men on Manhattan streets on consecutive days this week.
The NYPD released on April 3 images of the suspect behind the Greenwich Village capers, the first of which occurred at 10:45 a.m. on March 31 along East 8th Street between Greene and Mercer Streets.
According to authorities, the crook approached a 24-year-old man who was heading to work and asked to borrow the victim’s cellphone. When the victim refused, cops said, the suspect produced a firearm and a knife, then threatened to harm him.
Law enforcement sources said the perpetrator took the victim’s bag, which contained a laptop, a wallet and cellphone, then fled on foot westbound along East 8th Street.
The next night, authorities said, the suspect robbed a 26-year-old man along Washington Square West near Washington Place at about 8:15 p.m. on April 1.
According to police, the suspect displayed a knife and a silver firearm, then forced the victim to withdraw money from numerous ATM machines in the area of Washington Square Park and Union Square. The crook finally fled in an unknown direction with $440 in cash, the victim’s bank cards and a cellphone.
Both robberies were reported to the 6th Precinct. Neither victim was injured.
The photos police released show the suspect moments after the April 1 robbery. Police did not provide a physical description of the crook, who is seen with eyeglasses and a beard while wearing a black baseball cap, a light-colored hooded sweatshirt, a black bubble jacket and black pants.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at nypdcrimestoppers.com or on Twitter @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
