Man Chokes Woman With Purse Straps During E Harlem Robbery: NYPD

EAST HARLEM, NY — The NYPD is trying to identify a thief who choked a woman with the straps of her own purse while robbing her on an East Harlem street, police said.

A 35-year-old woman was walking on East 118th Street between Second and Third Avenues around 1 a.m. on Sunday, April 14, when an unknown man approached her from behind and grabbed her purse, police said. The man pulled on the purse from behind, casing the strap to choke the woman, police said.

After stealing the bag — which contained a wallet holding $300 — the man fled the scene heading west on 118th Street, police said. EMS responded to the scene but the victim refused medical attention, police said.

Police released a photo of the suspect (seen above) taken by security cameras.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).