Hate Crime Robbery & Grand Larceny Incidents Rock East Harlem

The New York City Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the individual wanted in connection with a robbery incident that occurred within the confines of the 25th Precinct. Details are as follows:

It was reported to police that on Thursday, Jan. 8 at approximately 9:50 p.m., in the vicinity of East 116th Street and 3rd Avenue, an unidentified individual approached a 31-year-old male who made anti-Hispanic remarks.

The individual then punched and kicked the victim before forcibly removing the victim’s wallet, containing approximately $200 and personal items. The individual then fled the location in an unknown direction. EMS responded and transported the victim to NYC Health and Hospitals / Harlem in stable condition.

The suspect is described as male with dark complexion, approximately 25–36 years of age, 6 feet, with a slim build, medium-length black hair, and a black goatee. He was last seen wearing a black and gray jacket, sweatpants and white shoes.

This incident is being investigated by the NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force.

One of the most bustling intersections in East Harlem, the northeast corner of 3rd Avenue and East 116th is co-named Luis Muñoz Marín Boulevard, reflecting its importance in what is also known as Spanish Harlem, or El Barrio. Marín (1898–1980) was a Puerto Rican journalist, politician and the first democratically elected governor of Puerto Rico, serving from 1949 to 1965. Marín’s life was honored with the street naming in 1986.

Senior Falls on Bus, Gets Cell Phone Stolen

The New York City Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the individual wanted in connection with a grand larceny incident that occurred within the confines of 23rd Precinct. Details are as follows:

It was reported to police that on Saturday, Jan. 10 at approximately 10:20 a.m., a 64-year-old female victim fell to the ground while on board the M102 bus.

While on the ground, an unidentified male individual approached victim and snatched her cellphone from her hand. The unidentified male individual then disembarked bus while stopped in the vicinity of East 109th Street / 3rd Avenue and fled westbound on East 109th Street to parts unknown.

That the suspect fled west is notable, if opaque in its motivation, as just steps away to the east, on 3rd Avenue between East 108th and 109th Streets is the evocatively named Poor Richard’s Playground—which really does honor Benjamin Franklin.

The suspect is described as a male with a dark complexion, and small build. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, black hooded sweatshirt, black pants, and black sneakers.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on X @NYPDTips.All calls are strictly confidential.