Cops are looking for the suspects behind two knifepoint robberies near Morningside Park, close to where Barnard freshman Tessa Majors was slain on Dec. 11.
The NYPD has put out information regarding the suspects, though there’s presently no discernible connection to Majors’ murder.
Police reports show that two victims were robbed on the wings of Morningside Park on Dec. 2 by two men, with one attempt being foiled by a punch from one of the victims.
At around 114th Street and Morningside Avenue at 4:40 p.m., law enforcement sources said, a 25-year-old man reported that he was in the dog park when a stranger approached him attempting to open a pocket knife. The victim punched the suspect and fled before falling down a set of stairs.
Police said the suspect fled and the victim walked to a nearby hospital where he was treated for minor injuries from the fall.
That same day, at 5:15 p.m., the two men were involved in robbing a 39-year-old man making a delivery at 353 West 118th St. Authorities said one of the suspects displayed a knife and simulated a firearm.
The victim relinquished $60, a cell hone and his scooter after the duo threatened to shoot him and then fled in an unknown direction.
NYPD provided footage of the two suspects.
After the stabbing death of Majors within the confines of the park, a 13- and 14-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of being involved in what cops believe to have been a robbery as well.
A local resident who went by Rachel told amNewYork on Dec. 12 that it was well known in the area that the park need better police surveillance. After forming a relationship with some of her homeless neighbors, Rachel claimed they would inform her about repeated incidences of stabbings.
“My daughter is 15, it could have easily been her. It is personal – it’s so needless,” Rachel said. “We just seem unable to control this park.”
With one of the suspects allegedly involved in Majors’ death still in custody, a judge ordered the case to move forward claiming there was sufficient evidence despite a lack of video surveillance of the actual stabbing. The 13-year-old suspect will remain in custody in the meantime having been charged with felony murder despite telling police he did not wield the knife himself, according to multiple reports.
“We are going to take a look at everything going on,” NYPD Commissioner Dermott Shea said in a press conference following the crime. “Yes, we will in increase police presence and work on effective deployment with increased patrols, but I wish we could’ve done more to prevent this one.
Police are asking for public’s assistance identifying the two suspects in the Dec. 2 robbery pattern.
Anyone with information in regard to the identity of the males is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM, or on Twitter @ NYPDTips.
All calls are strictly confidential.
