Violent mugger targeting women in Queens
NEW YORK (FOX5NY) - The NYPD is on the hunt for a knife-wielding man wearing an 'I Love New York' t-shirt who has violently mugged at least five women in Queens since late July.
The victims, all in their 20s, were mugged late at night in Astoria between 29th and 43rd Streets.
Police released video of the suspect who has struck at least five times between July 28 and August 5.
On July 28, the suspect approached a 27-year-old woman in front of 34-19 33rd Street and displayed a knife. He stole $120 in cash from the victim's purse and fled.
On July 29, the suspect approached a 23-year-old woman in front 30-62 36 Street and demanded money. The suspect lifted up his shirt, showing the victim a large knife. He stole $60 in cash and fled.
On July 31, at about 4:30 a.m., the suspect approached a 21-year-old woman on the corner of 43 Street and 31 Avenue and punched her in the back of her head. The individual proceeded to choke the victim and removed her wallet, which contained multiple credit cards and $30 in cash. The victim walked into New York Presbyterian Hospital of Queens where she received treatment for cuts and scrapes.
On August 3, at about 1 a.m., the suspect approached a 29-year-old female victim as she was entering her residence in the vicinity of 43rd Street and 34 Avenue. The suspect pushed the woman into the lobby of her residence and attempted to forcibly remove the victim's bag.
On August 5, at approximately 1 a.m., the suspect approached the 28-year-old woman in front of 34-35 29 Street and grabbed her from behind and put her in a chokehold. The individual proceeded to remove the victim's pocketbook, which contained multiple credit cards and fled.
The individual is described as follows by police: Male, black, 6', thin build, early 20s. He was last seen wearing red sneakers. In the last incident, the individual was wearing a surgical mask.
Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.