The Upper West Side was the scene of two frightening robberies on Thursday night, as two individuals were targeted at knifepoint and had their cell phones stolen. The incidents occurred just blocks away from Central Park, sending shockwaves through the neighborhood.
The first robbery took place at around 7:15 p.m. when a masked assailant approached a 29-year-old man inside a building on West 85th Street near Columbus Avenue. The suspect brandished a knife, demanded the victim’s cell phone, and then fled the scene on foot. The suspect is described as a male with a dark complexion, standing around 5-foot-8, wearing a black face mask, green winter jacket, and dark-colored pants. Fortunately, the victim was unharmed during the altercation.
Later that evening, around 11 p.m., a 42-year-old woman was accosted by two individuals on West 76th Street near Columbus Avenue. The suspects displayed a knife, forcibly took the victim’s phone, and shoved her to the ground before fleeing the scene. One suspect escaped on foot, while the other made a quick getaway on a Razor scooter. The victim, although shaken, declined medical attention.
Law enforcement officers were able to apprehend both suspects shortly after the incidents occurred. Charges are pending, and two knives were recovered during the arrests.
These brazen robberies are part of a concerning trend of increasing felony crimes in the area. Data from the NYPD indicates a 33 percent rise in felony crime in the 20th Precinct, which covers the Upper West Side, compared to the same period last year. The spike is primarily driven by a surge in grand larcenies, burglaries, and felony assaults.
The community is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. Safety measures and awareness are crucial in preventing such incidents and keeping the neighborhood secure.
