Police Blotter: February 24, 2016

ROBBERY: DIRECTION DIVERSION
(24TH PRECINCT)

Police are looking for a male suspect in connection with a February 18 robbery at 2488 Broadway, between West 92nd and West 93rd Streets. According to police, the suspect entered Shishi Boutique at 2:30 p.m. and asked the sales clerk, a 34-year-old male, for directions.

What the suspect really wanted was $50 from the clerk, who refused, according to police. The NYPD said the suspect then simulated a firearm in his jacket and said, “I have a gun and I’ll shoot you,” before forcibly pocketing the victim’s wallet that had $40. There were no injuries from the incident and the suspect fled east on West 92nd Street toward Amsterdam Avenue.

Police released photos of the suspect (available at manhattanexpressnews.nyc), whom they describe as a black male, at around 5’6” and 150 pounds, with short black hair and a blotchy complexion. According to police, the suspect was last seen wearing gray sweatpants, a fur-trimmed black jacket, and a black Nike T-shirt.

DOA: FACE DOWN FATALITY
(MIDTOWN SOUTH PRECINCT)

Police found an unconscious and unresponsive female lying face down inside 224 West 35th Street, suite 702, on February 22. Police responded to a call at noon and found the victim inside. EMS responded to the call, as well, and pronounced the victim dead. Police said its investigation is awaiting the medical examiner’s determination of the cause of death and no arrests have been made in connection with the incident. The victim remains unidentified, according to police.

FATAL COLLISION: CRUSHED BY COMMERCIAL VAN
(CENTRAL PARK PRECINCT)

On February 22, police responded to a 911 call at around 6:30 a.m. about an unconscious male inside Central Park, near the intersection of 74th Street and East Drive. Police said they found an unresponsive 56-year-old male pinned underneath the front driver side tire of a private construction company van. EMS also arrived on the scene and pronounced the man deceased. Police said the investigation was ongoing by the NYPD Collision Investigation Squad and the identity of the man was withheld pending family notification.

ASSAULT: TAXI CAB TERROR
(MIDTOWN NORTH PRECINCT)

Police are looking for a female suspect involved in a taxi thrashing that took place on January 31 on the West Side Highway. According to police, the 70-year-old taxi cab driver picked up the female at West 158th Street and Broadway at around 4:30 pm. After requesting a ride to Times Square, the suspect became irate when the taxi operator turned the meter on near the vicinity of West 56th Street and the West Side Highway. After beating the taxi driver, the suspect fled. The victim refused medical attention at the scene.