Mugger Punches Teen in Face, Steals His Scooter

Police are searching for a man wearing an American flag-themed shirt in connection with a mugging of a teenager for his scooter. -Photo by NYPD

By Dan Gesslein

Manhattan Voice

July 20, 2023

MANHATTAN - Cops are looking for a Star Spangled mugger who punched a kid in the face and stole his scooter near Gramercy Park. 

Police released surveillance photos of a man wearing an American flag-themed t-shirt seen walking away carrying a scooter. Cops say that scooter was viciously taken off a teenager.   

At around 4:30 pm on July 15, a 13-year-old boy was riding a non-motorized scooter at 344 2nd Avenue at Peter’s Field playground. A man walked up to the teen and punched him squarely in the face. The blow knocked the child to the ground. 

As the teen lay on the concrete, his attacker scooped up the scooter and ran off north on Second Avenue. 

EMS treated the young victim for minor injuries at the scene. 

Cops released the photos taken from a surveillance camera near the robbery. The attacker is described as a male with a dark complexion and a medium build. He was last seen wearing an American flag themed shirt with a graphic on the chest. The short sleeves were designed with the blue field and white stars. The body of the shirt was red. 

The suspect was also seen wearing blue shorts and turquoise and black sneakers. In addition he wore a gray balaclava over his head.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or on Twitter @NYPDTips. 

All calls are strictly confidential.