Tennis Racquet Swinging Muggers Rob Teens

Young Crew Target Students in Morrisania - Cops Say

The NYPD is searching for at least four suspects in the muggings of two teenagers in the Bronx. Both victims were struck in the face with a tennis racquet. -Photo by NYPD

By Dan Gesslein

Bronx Voice

January 13, 2025

BRONX - A tennis racquet swinging robbery crew is being sought by cops for a pair of violent robberies targeting teens. 

The NYPD released surveillance video of four members of the book bag wearing young suspects seen running from the crime scene in the Forest Houses. In both cases the crew targeted a teen coming home from school. 

At around 4 pm on December 12, a 15-year-old male was walking in the vicinity of Forest Avenue and East 166th Street. Cops said a group of young suspects ran up to the teen and pounced. The group began punching and kicking the teen. Then one of the attackers smashed a tennis racquet into the victim’s face.  

The attackers then ran away without removing property. 

The victim refused medical treatment at the scene. 

At around 4 pm on December 17, a 13-year-old was attacked in the vicinity of Intervale Avenue and Kelly Street. The crew attacked the teen and forcibly pulled the sweater off the victim. Another attacker struck the teen in the face with a tennis

racquet. And another member of the crew took the victim’s book bag which was on the ground. 

The attackers then ran off. 

The victim refused medical attention at the scene. 

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.