Subway thief cutting pockets off pants to steal wallets

NEW YORK (FOX5NY) - He's not just taking the wallet.  He's taking the whole pocket.

Police are looking for a man who is stealing wallets on the subway by cutting holes in the victims' pants.

He has hit at least seven times since Februrary on the "L" train line, according to the NYPD.

The suspect takes a knife or other sharp item and cuts the pants pocket of the victim to grab their wallet.  In some cases the victim was asleep but in at least one case the victim was awake when the thug struck.

The incidents all took place in the overnight hours.

In two cases the man took a victim's phone after cutting off his back pocket.  The victims didn't realize their wallets or phones were gone until later.

Police say the guy they're looking for is Black, between 30-40 years of age, 5'8"-6'0", 180-190 lbs.

He was last seen wearing a light blue button up shirt, black NY hat, blue jeans and black sneakers.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS.  They say that all calls will remain confidential.