Cops: This Guy Keeps Stealing iPhones, Cash From Subway Passengers

Jen Chung

Published Jul 17, 2012

Modified Jul 17, 2012

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The police released video of a man suspected in five iPhone robberies since May that took place on subway trains. According to police, he and another man—who has been apprehended—threaten to shoot passengers if they don't hand over their phones. Four of the incidents occurred in the 32nd Precinct, which covers Harlem, while one took place in the 20th Precinct (Upper West Side). Here are the details straight from the NYPD press office:

Incident #1 occurred on Friday May 25, 2012 at approximately 1830 hours on board the southbound #3 train within the confines of the 32 Precinct/Transit District 3. The two male suspects approached the male victim and demanded his iPhone, threatening to shoot him. The suspects removed the victim's iPhone and exited the train at the 135 Street and Lenox Avenue station.

Incident #2 occurred on Sunday June 10, 2012 at approximately 0943 hours on board the southbound #3 train within the confines of the 32 Precinct/Transit District 3. The male suspect approached the female victim and demanded the victim's iPhone, lifting his shirt to expose a silver colored firearm. The suspect removed the victim's iPhone and an amount of cash and exited the train at the 135 Street and Lenox Avenue station.

Incident #3 occurred on Saturday June 30, 2012 at approximately 0810 hours on board the northbound C train within the confines of the 20 Precinct/Transit District 1. The two male suspects approached the female victim and one of the suspects pulled up his shirt, displayed a firearm in his waistband and demanded the victim's iPhone and cash. The suspects removed the victim's iPhone and an amount of cash and exited the train at the 72 Street and Central Park West station.

Incident #4 occurred on Saturday June 30, 2012 at approximately 1010 hours on board the southbound #3 train within the confines of the 32 Precinct/Transit District 3. The two male suspects approached the male victim and demanded the victim's money, threatening to shoot him. One of the suspects displayed a firearm and pointed it at the victim. The suspects removed the victim's iPhone and an amount of cash and fled the train car to parts unknown.

Incident #5 occurred on Monday July 2, 2012 at approximately 1240 hours inside the 145 Street and Lenox Avenue station within the confines of the 32 Precinct/Transit District 3. The two male suspects approached the male victim and surrounded him on a staircase. The suspect standing in front of the victim told him that the suspect standing behind him had a gun. The suspects removed cash from the victim and fled the scene.

The police arrested Bruce Williams, 23, on July 3rd but they are still searching for the other suspect, who is described as a black male in his early 20s, approximately 6'00" to 6'1", with a slender build and brown eyes. The suspect was last seen wearing a grey hooded sweater, blue jeans and a Yankee baseball hat. The NYPD urges anyone with information in regards to this robbery to call Crime stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or contact them via WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM.