Thief Punches Teen, Nabs Phone In Harlem Subway Robbery, Cops Say

HARLEM, NY — Cops are searching for a teenager who they say violently robbed another boy in a Harlem subway stop before Christmas.

The unidentified thief nabbed the 13-year-old's cellphone from his hand in a stairwell at the 135th Street 2/3 train stop just before 1 p.m. on Dec. 21, then punched the boy's face before fleeing the station, police said.

The plucky kid chased the alleged robber — who's about 17 years old — for several blocks but was punched in the face again and stopped, according to the NYPD.

The teenage thief was captured on surveillance video. He has black hair, stands 5-foot-11, weighs 165 pounds and was last seen wearing a black jacket, a light gray sweatshirt and dark jeans, police said.

Anyone with information about the incident can call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-577-8477 or 1-888-577-4782 to leave a tip in Spanish. New Yorkers can also text tips to 274637 or submit them online at nypdcrimestoppers.com.

(Lead image: Police say this teenager robbed another boy of his cellphone in a Harlem subway station before Christmas. Photo and video from the NYPD)