Will

Thu, 07 Oct 2004 00:58:21 -0500

This is going to sound unbelievable, but I was mugged right near that very corner in 1996. I was living on 15th between 6&7 and was walking home at 3 a.m.from Johnny Lats Big Workout Gym on 17th, east of 5th (there's still a gym there, but different name. they used to be open 24 hours, which suited my bartender schedule). Long story short, two guys put a gun to me and took my 20 dollar bill. I went home, called the cops, they swung by, picked me up and drove over to where some other cops had already bagged my guys. Turns out undercovers had been patrolling (in a fake taxi) and keeping an eye on these two because they didn't look like residents of the area. When they heard my call relayed, they knew exactly who to look for and nabbed them on the east side of Union Square. I got to testify before a grand jury, but never went to court because the cops or prosecutors pulled the old "rat out your buddy and we'll go easy on you" trick and they both ratted each other out and went back to jail (they were already on parole anyway). The story they told was that they'd intended to get off the subway at 42nd street to rob hookers (they could still be found there back then) but they missed their stop and ended up getting off at 14th and decided to make use of their time anyway. Ug, sorry, that was longer than I meant to write. Anyway, I was mugged at that very spot years ago.

Gothamist: Shoot Or Dare: Drug Dealer Gets Shot On West 16th Street

Will