You are reading

Motorist beaten, robbed after stranger approached his vehicle near Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights: NYPD

Cops are looking for this suspect, who allegedly reached into a man’s vehicle in Jackson Heights to snatch his wallet and then slugged him multiple times in the face when the victim fought back. Photo courtesy of the NYPD

May 31, 2024 By Bill Parry

A 46-year-old man was beaten and robbed in broad daylight by a stranger in Jackson Heights during the afternoon of Saturday, May 25.

The victim was in his vehicle near Elmhurst Avenue and 92nd Street a block north of Roosevelt Avenue when his assailant approached at 4:40 p.m.

When the victim stepped out of his vehicle to speak with the unidentified man, he proceeded to reach into the car and snatch his wallet. A physical altercation ensued and the robber allegedly punched the victim multiple times in the face and then took off running eastbound on 37th Avenue toward Junction Boulevard.

Police from the 115th Precinct responded to the crime scene and reported that the stolen wallet contained the victim’s credit cards and approximately $70 in cash. The victim sustained minor injuries and refused medical attention at the scene.

The NYPD released a surveillance photo of the suspect early Thursday morning and described him as having a medium complexion. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, black sweatpants and white sneakers.

Anyone with information regarding this incident 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 crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.

Through May 26, the 115th Precinct has reported 143 robberies so far in 2024, 36 more than the 107 reported at the same point last year, an increase of 33.6%, according to the latest CompStat report. Assaults are also on the rise in the precinct with 217 reported so far this year, 27 more than the 190 reported at the same point in 2023, an increase of 14.2%, according to CompStat.