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Mugger Threatens to Slit Teen's Throat During Robbery, Police Say

By Maya Rajamani | February 4, 2016 6:31pm
 Christopher Sawyer, 31, robbed a 19-year-old man near piers 83 and 84 on the West Side, police said.
Christopher Sawyer, 31, robbed a 19-year-old man near piers 83 and 84 on the West Side, police said.
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HELL'S KITCHEN — A robber threatened to slit a teen's throat before stealing his wallet, cellphone and bus ticket out of his pockets near piers 83 and 84, police said.

The 19-year-old victim, from Connecticut, was walking near the piers behind 557 12th Ave., between West 43rd and West 44th streets, about 3 a.m. on Jan. 28 when he was attacked, according to authorities.

Christopher Sawyer, 31, grabbed the teen by the neck, held a knife to his throat and said, “Give me everything, I will slit your throat,” the NYPD said. He then snatched the the victim’s wallet, cellphone and a bus ticket from his pocket, according to the criminal complaint filed with the Manhattan District Attorney's office.

After rifling through the victim's wallet, Sawyer threw it and the bus ticket on the ground and fled with his cellphone, the complaint said.

Police found the teen's phone in Sawyer’s left pocket, and the victim was able to pick him out of a police lineup later that day, the NYPD said.

Sawyer was initially charged with first degree robbery but pleaded guilty to criminal possession of stolen property during his arraignment Tuesday, the DA's office said. He was released Tuesday after spending five days in jail, according to the DA.

An attorney for Sawyer did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.