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Man Arrested for UWS Stabbing Went on Robbery Spree, Police Say

By Emily Frost | February 22, 2016 10:58am
West 88th Street Stabbing
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DCPI

UPPER WEST SIDE — Police arrested a man they believe stabbed a victim on West 88th Street last week amid a string of robberies in the neighborhood.

Rondell Smith, 21, went on a three-day crime spree starting Feb. 17, robbing and attempting to rob multiple victims by either showing a gun or threatening to use one, police said.  

The spree included the Feb. 18 stabbing, in which Smith knifed a 34-year-old victim in the upper back outside 105 W. 88th St. about 4:55 p.m. before stealing his Kindle device and headphones and fleeing on foot, police said.

The spree began on Feb. 17 at 6:40 a.m., when Smith, who is a resident of Wise Towers at 589 Amsterdam Ave., approached a 70-year-old man walking his dogs along West 90th Street and asked him for the time, police said. Smith then opened his jacket and revealed he had a gun before fleeing, police said. He did not take any property and no one was injured, police said. 

Later that day, at 5 p.m., Smith approached a 13-year-old boy who was walking along West 89th Street near Amsterdam Avenue, threatened him with a knife and stole an undisclosed amount of money, police said.

He told the boy "I will seriously cut you. Give me all your money," and showed him a knife tucked into his pants, according to a criminal complaint. 

The next day, on Feb. 18 at 2:30 p.m., Smith approached a 34-year-old man in front of 2488 Broadway near West 92nd Street and asked him where Columbus Avenue was before asking for $50, police said. 

When the man refused, Smith threatened to shoot him, telling him: "I've got a gun with a silencer, I'm not afraid to use it. Give me all you got," according to the complaint.

The victim said Smith kept one hand in his pocket, which looked like it had a bulge. before grabbing the victim's wallet from his pants and fleeing, police said. 

Less than three hours later, Smith stabbed and robbed the victim for his Kindle and headphones in the aforementioned attack.

The spree continued into the early hours of Friday morning at 2:05 a.m., when Smith simulated having a gun before robbing a 25-year-old man on the northbound 2 train platform at West 96th Street, police said. Smith also was carrying a box cutter, but it was not clear whether he displayed it during the robbery, police said. 

Smith then approached another person asking for money, and when the individual refused he said, "I'll shoot you. He asked for cash again, but did not take any, according to the complaint. 

Smith got onto a northbound 2 train and was arrested by police in The Bronx at 149 Street and Grand Concourse, the NYPD said. He was charged at the time with possession of marijuana, in addition to robbery and criminal possession of a weapon.  

Victims from the earlier incidents identified Smith after his arrest, and he was charged with robbery, attempted robbery and criminal possession of a weapon, authorities said.

Smith's lawyer did not immediately respond to request for comment. 

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