In New York, police are searching for a band of "bus stop bandits" who are targeting commuters as they exit the bus in Queens. Six of the seven victims were Asian and the latest victim was a white woman: Bus Stop Bandits Targeting College Students, Commuters In Queens.Authorities are asking for the public's help with catching the suspects. They're described as three black men and they have already mugged seven people, including some students from St. John's University, between the hours of 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.:
The group first struck on Wednesday, October 20 at 9:40 p.m. when a 34-year-old man was assaulted in front of 67-09A 168th Lane. He suffered cuts to his face while the men made off with his iPod, camera, cell phone and wallet.More here, with a photo of the suspects: Police In Search Of Mugging Suspects. Anyone with any information about the incidents is urged to call CrimeStoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. Tipsters can also submit information at nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting CRIMES (274637) then entering TIP577.
They then targeted a 22-year-old woman the following day at 9:05 p.m., who was walking from a bus stop when she was approached by the thugs in front of 67-18 185th Street. They walked behind her and lifted her bag, which contained cash and credit cards.
On Monday, November 8 at 8:30 p.m., the suspects beat up a 21-year-old man who just got off the bus near the corner of 64th Avenue and 184th Street. He suffered minor injuries and has his cell phone and wallet stolen.
The last four incidents happened within three days between Monday, November 15 and Wednesday, November 17.
On November 15 at 9:50 p.m., a 19-year-old man was punched several times in the face as one of the suspects said, "Give me your bag or I'll hurt you." His bag was forcibly removed and the suspect fled. The victim had just got off the bus when he was attacked on the corner of Union Turnpike and 172nd Street.
The following day at 10 p.m., a 24-year-old woman was walking near 77th Avenue and 166th Street when she was approached from behind and the suspect grabbed her pocketbook and cell phone. She was no injured.
The last two incidents occurred on the same day, on November 17.
At 7:30 p.m., a 43-year-old woman was walking near 197th Street and 75th Avenue when two of the suspects assaulted her and stole her pocketbook and cell phone.
Just an hour and a half later at 9 p.m., a 27-year-old woman was knocked to the ground near 165th Street and Horace Harding Expressway. Her pocketbook was stolen and, this time, the suspect fled in a black car.