EAST VILLAGE — A man claiming to be a federal law enforcement agent threatened to ticket a couple for public drunkenness and then robbed one of them, cops said.
The suspect, who police describe as a man in his 20s, approached the 32-year-old victim and his girlfriend about 1 a.m. on Friday Aug. 16 on the sidewalk near East 2nd Street and Avenue A, according to police.
The suspected identified himself as an officer with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and asked for the victim's wallet and cellphone so he could write a ticket for public intoxication, cops said.
He told them he would be right back, but never returned, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto Crime Stoppers' website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637), then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
