Muggers Target Teens in Soundview Park

Crew Steals Phones, Bike at Knifepoint 

The NYPD is searching for these two men in connection with a series of robberies in Soundview Park. -Photo by NYPD

By Dan Gesslein 

Bronx Voice

March 22, 2024

BRONX - Cops are looking for a group of muggers who robbed teens of cellphones and a bike during a string of robberies at Soundview Park over a three-month period, the NYPD announced.

Investigators are searching for at least three suspects in connection with a string of at least four robberies in Soundview Park over the past three months. Cops released surveillance video of two of the suspects.  

The first incident happened around 3:30 pm on January 27. A 17-year-old male was inside Soundview Park near Morrison Avenue and Lafayette Avenue. Cops said two men walked up to the teen and one produced a “hard object simulating a firearm.” The men demanded he turn over his cellphone which he did. The robbers left without further incident. 

The same crew struck again again inside Soundview Park. A 19-year-old male was on his bike at 1550 Lafayette Avenue, when he approached by two from the crew. Cops said one of the robbers produced a knife and demanded the teen’s cellphone and bike. The thieves grabbed the bike and phone and took off. 

Investigators said the same crew struck again the next day on the opposite side of Soundview Park. A 50-year-old man was walking at the intersection of Metcalf Avenue and Seward Avenue. Cops said three men wearing ski masks ran up behind him and yanked the cellphone out of the victim’s hands. They then ran off in an unknown direction. 

The crew did not strike again until over a month later. At around 3:40 pm on March 8, a 17-year-old male was in Soundview Park near Seward Avenue and Metcalf Avenue. Three men walked up to the teen and started a conversation. Cops said the trio then demanded the teen’s cellphone as they pulled out knives and box cutters. 

Then the robbers pounced. Cops said the attackers began punching the victim in the face and head over and over again. As the victim was stunned by the blows, the attackers ripped the phone from his hands and the crew ran off. 

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or on Twitter @NYPDTips. 

All calls are strictly confidential.