Mugger Chokes Victim Into Unconsciousness In Harlem, Police Say

HARLEM, NY — The NYPD is trying to identify a mugger who choked a man unconscious inside a Harlem apartment building, police said.

A 23-year-old man was entering his apartment in a building on West 147 Street and Amsterdam Avenue on Friday night when he was approached from behind by an unknown man, police said. The mugger flashed a gun and attempted to steal the man's belongings when a struggle ensued, police said.

During the struggle, the mugged placed the man in a choke hold until the man went unconscious, police said. The mugger then snatched the man's cell phone, wallet, backpack and $1,000 in cash and fled the building, police said.

The victim suffered bruising to the neck and was treated at the scene by EMS, police said.

Watch police video of the violent robbery below:

The suspect is described as a man with short hair, a beard and a mustache, police said. He was last seen wearing black sunglasses, a black backpack, a white shirt with the words "R.I.P Youth" on the front, gray sweatpants and black sneakers.

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

Photo by NYPD