Police say a group of teens on bikes have been responsible for seven robberies in Riverside Park over several weeks. Police in the 20, 26 and 28 precincts have stepped up uniformed patrols round the clock as a result. A patrol car makes the rounds his evening near the skate park on 108th Street in the park. Violent crime in Riverside Park has risen 30% over the last nine months. In 2015 the park reported third highest number of crimes of any city park. (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge.
Manhattan
By Geoffrey Croft
Police are searching for a group of teens on bikes wanted in a series of robberies in Riverside Park, NYC Park Advocates has learned.
The group of between two and four teens, a mix of male blacks and male hispanics on bikes have struck seven times between the end of July and August 15th.
The robbery pattern have taken place during the day and night.
The muggers used the threat of physical force or physical force.
The thieves have taken cell phones, money and in one case, the attempted robbery of a bike.
Police in the 20, 26 and 28 precincts have stepped up uniformed patrols round the clock as a result.
The latest incident occurred on August 15th when a 65-year-old man was riding a bike along the Greenway just south of 125th Street when he was approached by 4 teens on bikes who stopped him.
One of the assailants blocked his path while another pulled a knife and demanded his bike.
One of the assailants blocked his path while another pulled a knife and demanded his bike.
The man refused and was assaulted by three others who punched him in the face repeatedly.
Several other riders came to his aid and the assailants fled without the bike.
Violent crime in the park continues to rise.
On August 5, a woman was sexually assaulted while walking her dog in Riverside park. The man demanded oral sex and grabbed her. The victim bit the attacker and was able to escape.
A reward poster in connection to the August 5th sexual attack of a woman in Riverside Park. (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge.
Violent crime in Riverside Park has risen 30% over the last nine months according to the latest crime data reporting period ending on April 30th. The park reported 13 incidents compared to 10.
City-wide 417 people reported being the victims of violent crime over the last nine months, an increase of 23%.
The de Blasio administration in turn has responded by saying that crimes in parks remain "rare,” that parks are "by far the safest place in the entire universe."
Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver called the 23% rise, a “small uptick.”
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