Upper East Side purse snatching spree: Police seek suspects in 3 robbery attempts
Crime in the City full episode: January 31, 2025
FOX 5 NY’s Dan Bowens takes a look at some of the more notable crimes across the New York City area this week, including six perps taking a subway train from a joyride, a gang bust involving Tren de Aragua members and ICE raids in the Bronx.
UPPER EAST SIDE - The NYPD are searching for a group of men in connection to three attempted purse snatchings on the Upper East Side.
When did these incidents happen?
What we know:
Police said the first two incidents happened on Sunday Jan. 19, one after another.
The first incident happened at approximately 8 p.m. on East 75th Street, where several men targeted a 32-year-old woman. Police said one of the suspects forcibly stole her handbag, which had cash and credit cards, before fleeing the scene. No injuries were reported.
The second incident happened shortly after near 3rd Avenue and East 78th Street, where the same group of men approached a 38-year-old woman. Police said they attempted to grab her purse, but the woman was able to hang onto her bag. The woman suffered from minor injuries, but refused to get medical attention at the scene, police said.
The third incident happened on Tuesday, Jan. 21, at approximately 5:40 p.m. near 2nd Avenue and East 70th Street. Police said the group of men tried to take a 71-year-old woman's purse. The woman was able to hang onto her bag, police said. The woman suffered from minor injuries and also refused medical attention at the scene, police said.
What we don't know:
The names of the victims and the suspects are currently unknown.
(Credit: NYPD Crimestoppers)
The motive behind these robberies is unclear.