Four gunpoint phone robberies in one evening put police on Central Park’s east side
Police say three men showed a gun and took cellphones in four holdups Thursday night, two of them near East Drive and 106th Street.
Police are investigating four cellphone robberies at gunpoint on the east side of Central Park Thursday night. On Friday, officers were stationed near the spot where two of the robberies happened.
Times and places of the Central Park robberies
All four holdups were reported within about an hour. Police got the earliest report at 8:41 p.m., another came in at 9:30 p.m., and a final pair arrived at 9:45 p.m. Police said the pattern was the same each time: three men walked up to people, showed a gun, took their phones and got away on a bicycle.
Two of the robberies took place near East Drive and 106th Street. According to police, a woman, 20, and a man, 22, lost their phones at gunpoint at that spot. Two more men reported being robbed nearby as well.
Police presence and what visitors said
On Friday night, officers stayed visible near 106th Street and East Drive. Investigators are working to find out whether one group is behind all four robberies.
Visitors had mixed reactions. Wilfredo Morales said he seldom visits the park at night and keeps away from certain areas after dark. Another visitor said the reports were a reason to avoid carrying cash or a phone.
Jonah Brill, who has lived in the area for 13 or 14 years, said the officers on patrol put him at ease. “I’ve never felt safer,” Brill said.
Quick answers
Where did the Central Park robberies happen?
On the east side of the park. Two of the four were near East Drive and 106th Street.
What did the robbers take?
Police said three men showed a gun and took cellphones from visitors, then fled on a bicycle.
