Police Investigating Series Of Phone Thefts On UWS

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY – The NYPD is seeking the public's help identifying three people in connection with a series of thefts on the Upper West Side.

On July 15 just after 7 a.m., a 51-year-old man was walking northbound on Broadway when two people riding on a scooter came up from behind him and attempted to take his cellphone from his hand. The two people were not successful and continued northbound on Broadway, police said.

That same day at 8 a.m., a 48-year-old man was walking on West 66 Street and talking on his iPhone when two people riding on a scooter came up from behind and took the phone out of his hand. The people then turned left, heading southbound on Riverside Boulevard, police said.

Around 4:30 p.m. that day, a 64-year-old woman was sitting on a park bench inside Riverside Park as West 78 Street looking at her cellphone when two people, both on scooters, approached her and took the phone of her hand. Both left heading southbound on Riverside Drive, police said.

According to police, the first person is described as a male in his late teens with a slim build and light complexion. He was riding the scooter in all three incidents.

The second person is described as a male in his late teens with a heavy build, light complexion and wearing eye glasses. He was a passenger on the scooter in the first and second incidents.

The third person is described as a male in his late teens with a slim build and light complexion. He was a passenger on the scooter in the third incident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police at 1-800-577-TIPS.