QUEENS — Police are searching for a man wanted in connection with a string of iPhone snatchings in Astoria.
The suspect allegedly struck eight times in less than two months, cops said, each time stealing iPhones from victims before running away.
The first incident took place around 9:25 p.m. on Aug. 1 on the stairwell leading to the northbound E train platform in the Court Square subway station.
On Sept. 7, the suspect allegedly returned to that subway station, this time stealing an iPhone from a victim on the southbound E train platform.
On Sept. 11, around 7:30 p.m., the suspect targeted an iPhone user at 36th Avenue and 29th Street in Astoria.
The suspect allegedly returned to the Court Square subway station once more on Sept. 15, stealing someone’s iPhone around 12:40 p.m.
Two days later, on Sept. 17, the suspect allegedly struck twice, near 35th Avenue and 28th Street around 12:30 p.m., and then, around 9 p.m., near Broadway and 31st Street.
On Sept. 19, around 3:30 p.m., the suspect allegedly swiped another iPhone on 37th Avenue and 31st Street, and the next day, he allegedly struck an eighth time, near 35th Avenue and 28th Street.
The suspect is described as around 20 years old, between 6 feet and 6 feet 3 inches tall with a thin build.
Anyone with information in regards to these incidents is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
All calls are strictly confidential.
