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Read the press release here.

Serial Subway Robbers Target Straphangers at Bronx Station, Cops Say

By Aidan Gardiner | February 20, 2013 12:48pm
 Police released sketches of two men they say are part of a group of violent robbers targeting straphangers in at least three incidents in the 174-175 Street-Grand Concourse D train station.
Police released sketches of two men they say are part of a group of violent robbers targeting straphangers in at least three incidents in the 174-175 Street-Grand Concourse D train station.
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NYPD

MOUNT HOPE — A group of thieves is targeting straphangers in The Bronx's 174th-175th Street D train Station, attacking victims in three separate incidents dating back to December, cops said.

The bandits — who travel in packs of as many as eight people — have carried out violent attacks, putting victims in choke holds and punching them before rifling through their pockets and stealing their wallets or their cellphones, according to the NYPD.

On one occasion, they shoved a woman down a flight of stairs after robbing her, police said.

The first reported incident took place on December 26 when a man, 37, swiped his Metrocard at the station on the Grand Concourse about 10:20 p.m. One of the suspects approached him from behind and put him in a chokehold, police said.

Another two suspects then repeatedly punched him in the face while rummaging through his pockets, and then ran off with his cellphone and some cash, cops said.

Two weeks later, three suspects began following a 32-year-old man about 9:22 p.m. along the southbound platform before punching the victim, police said.

The two others began punching him as well while rifling through his pockets, before running off with his belongings, cops said.

In the latest attack on Jan. 19, seven men approached a 23-year-old woman about 6:30 p.m., police said. One of them snatched a phone from her hand and slugged her in the face.

She lunged and tried to restrain him, but he grabbed her neck and shoved her down a flight of stairs. The men then fled, cops said.

Police said none of the victims sustained serious injuries.

One suspect was spotted wearing a blue denim jacket and a red wool hat, both emblazoned with a horseshoe symbol associated with the clothing brand True Religion, cops said. He's believed to be between 17 and 20-years-old, about 5-feet-9 inches tall and approximately 160 pounds.

A second suspect is believed to be between 20 and 25-years-old, about 5-foot-10 inches and was last seen sporting a light beard, a blue hoodie, blue jeans and a dark striped shirt, cops said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).