MANHATTAN — A man robbed a woman at knifepoint in Union Square but was quickly apprehended after the victim and a witness followed him and called 911, according to police.
Kevin Ullah, 31, of Staten Island, sat next to the 22-year-old victim on a park bench just before 11 a.m. on July 27, then stood up and demanded her phone and wallet, police said.
When the woman hesitated, he pulled out a knife and threatened to cut her if she didn’t comply, prompting her to hand over her cellphone which was inside a wallet case, according to authorities.
After the Ullah walked away, the victim and a bystander who had witnessed the incident followed him and called 911. Officers caught up with the thief at the Northwest corner of the park at 17th Street and Union Square West, police said.
Prosecutors charged Ullah with robbery, menacing and possession of a weapon, records show. A judge ordered him held on $35,000 bail and he is currently on Rikers Island pending an Aug. 25 hearing, according to Department of Corrections records.
Ullah's lawyer did not respond to a request for comment.
