A 76-year-old woman had her cellphone yanked from her hand near East 16th Street and Quentin Road in Brooklyn on Tuesday, March 10, at about 11:20 a.m., according to police. Witnesses told officers they saw a light-complexioned man in a dark waist-length jacket over a gray hoodie, with blue jeans and blue sneakers, sprinting westbound on Kings Highway right after the grab. The woman was not reported to have serious injuries, and officers say the investigation is ongoing.
NYPD Shares Suspect Photos And Puts Cash On The Table
In a post on X, NYPD Crime Stoppers circulated images of the suspect and repeated that the theft happened at about 11:20 a.m. on March 10. The post notes the man fled westbound along Kings Highway and reminds New Yorkers that tips leading to an arrest in the case could earn a reward of up to $3,500. Officials are steering anyone with information to submit it through Crime Stoppers or by using the phone tip line listed in the social media post.
Phone Grabs Tied To Wider Street-Robbery Trend
Detectives have increasingly leaned on social media clips and doorbell camera footage to track suspects after a run of quick grab-and-run thefts across the borough. Recent coverage of scooter-linked robbery crews in southern Brooklyn, along with News 12 reports of moped-style phone snatches in other boroughs, shows the same fast-hit pattern playing out on sidewalks and street corners. Police are urging residents to review any home-security or store cameras and send in clear, timestamped footage rather than trying to confront anyone themselves.
How Neighbors Can Help
Investigators are asking anyone with information or relevant video to save the files with visible timestamps and reach out to NYPD Crime Stoppers. Anonymous tips can be submitted online or by phone. The program lists 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), and for Spanish speakers 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). For official details on how to submit tips and how rewards work, visit NYPD Crime Stoppers.
