NYPD Makes Arrest In Troubling Lower East Side Mugging Spree
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- An arrest was made late Thursday night in the case of a broad and brazen Lower East Side robbery pattern, police said.
Dion Whitehead, 38, of 484 East Houston St., was hit with four counts of robbery pertaining to the alleged mugging of at least 16 people since May, spanning from Houston Street to East 23rd Street, police said.
Police had said the suspect usually flashes a weapon, either a gun or a knife, approaches a victim and takes whatever he wants – typically a cell phone or other gadget, but sometimes also jewelry, cash and wallets. All of the attacks happened between 7:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m.
The first incident happened on May 5 in an elevator on Avenue C, though most of the robberies had been on the street, police said. Nearly a dozen attacks happened near the East River Park. The most recent muggings took place last Friday. Both in the same location — on 14th Street near Avenue C, police said.
Most of the victims are between 16 and 23 years old, but the oldest victim is 59, police said.
The NYPD described the suspect as being 30 to 40 years old, between 5-feet-9 and 6-foot with a thin mustache and thin beard.
In almost every case, he snatched a cell phone.
Anyone with additional information should call police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.
Please offer your thoughts in the comments section below ...
