E-Bike Crew Targets Women for Robbery; Subway Rape Suspect Indicted

Since late May, at least fifteen females, from teenager to senior, have been the victims of an e-bike riding chain snatching crew in what cops are calling a city-wide robbery pattern. The thieves’ geographical range spans eight precincts across Manhattan (26th, 23rd and 7th) and the Bronx (41st, 42nd, 44th, 46th, 48th).

That the crew’s months-long broad daylight robbery spreee would have been difficult to achieve without e-bikes is further cause for vigilance against the engine-powered, no-pedaling, no license and no registration required “micromobility” vehicles that already have many New Yorkers on edge.

Details of the four Manhattan incidents, which occurred in Morningside Heights, East Harlem and the Lower East Side, follow:

26th Precinct: On June 17, 2026, at approximately 6:45 a.m. in the vicinity of Amsterdam Avenue and Lasalle Street in Morningside Heights, a 74-year-year-old female was walking on the sidewalk when an unknown individual riding a bicycle snatched a chain off her neck. No injuries were sustained.

23rd Precinct: On June 23, 2026, at approximately 2:14 p.m. in front of 30 East 111 St. , a 29-year-old female was walking in front of the location when an unknown individual on a bicycle snatched the necklace off her neck causing pain and redness.

23rd Precinct: On June 27, 2026, at approximately 3:20 p.m. in front 221 East 110 Street, a 15-year-old female was walking in front of the location an unknown individual on a bike attempted to snatch her chain but was unsuccessful. The victim sustained pain to the left side of her face.

7th Precinct: On July 10, 2026, at approximately 5:20 p.m. in front of 300 Cherry Street, a 26-year-old female was walking her dog when an unknown male grabbed her chain around her neck. No injuries were reported.

The suspects are described as males, likely Hispanic, in their 20s.

Anyone with information in regard to these incidents are asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Tips can also be submitted to the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, on X @NYPDTips.

Alleged Harlem Rapist Indicted

The suspect in a horrifying rape in a Harlem subway station has been arrested. The incident occurred on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at approximately 7:40 p.m., inside of the 125th Street and Saint Nicholas Avenue subway station, within the confines of the 26 Precinct/Transit District 3, when a then-unidentified male sexually assaulted the 21-year-old female victim.

On August 18, 2026, James Okeke of East Flatbush, Brooklyn was arrested in the 5th Precinct on rape and sexual abuse charges. He was subsequently indicted on these charges. Okeke pleaded not guilty and is presently jailed on Rikers Island on $50,000.00 bail or $150,000.00 bond. Department of Correction Records describe Okeke as a Black male, 6 foot 2 inches, 215 pounds.