Six Robbed at Gunpoint in Central Park in Spree of Muggings
Suspects targeted victims for cellphones during four separate incidents on Thursday night.
Six individuals were robbed at gunpoint in Central Park on Thursday night during a series of four muggings that occurred over approximately one hour. The incidents all took place along East Drive, with the assailants primarily targeting victims for their cellphones. Authorities are investigating whether the robberies were committed by the same group of suspects.
The first robbery was reported around 8:41 p.m. near East 79th Street. A 28-year-old man told police that three males approached him, and one displayed a gun before taking his cellphone. The suspects then fled on bicycles heading east through the park.
About 50 minutes later, a 46-year-old man was robbed near East 109th Street. He reported that three individuals approached him, and one brandished a firearm to steal his phone. The suspects then left on bicycles.
Fifteen minutes after that, at approximately 9:55 p.m., police responded to two more robberies at East 106th Street and East Drive. In one incident, a 22-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman stated that three males, one of whom displayed a gun, stole both of their cellphones. In a second incident at the same location, two 43-year-old men reported that three males had used a gun to rob them of their cellphones.
Following the final robberies, the suspects reportedly fled east toward Fifth Avenue. Police have not yet confirmed if all incidents involved the same perpetrators.