Overnight riders on Brooklyn's L train got a hard reminder that late-night commutes can turn ugly fast, as police say a crew of six pulled off back-to-back robberies last Friday, leaving one man tased in the neck and another threatened with a knife.
The incidents unfolded in the early hours of April 10 on northbound L trains, and the NYPD has now released images of six people they say are tied to what they are calling a transit robbery pattern. Regulars on the Bushwick stretch of the Canarsie line are being urged to scan the photos and reach out if anyone looks familiar.
The images and a short bulletin went up on X from NYPD Crime Stoppers, which labeled the case a "Brooklyn transit robbery pattern." According to the post, two robberies took place around 1:30 a.m. and 1:50 a.m. on April 10 aboard northbound L trains approaching the Sutter Avenue and Bushwick Avenue–Aberdeen Street stations.
The bulletin, headlined WANTED FOR A BROOKLYN TRANSIT ROBBERY PATTERN,
shows stills of six people investigators want to identify, according to NYPD Crime Stoppers. In the earlier encounter, police say six people assaulted a 56-year-old man and one suspect tased him in the neck before the group grabbed his bag at the Wilson Avenue stop. In the later incident, the same group allegedly punched a 30-year-old rider, and one person displayed a knife and tried to slash him; that victim was able to get off the train at Bushwick Avenue–Aberdeen Street while the suspects stayed on board.
Crime Stoppers is offering up to $3,500 for information that leads to an arrest and indictment, and is asking anyone with tips or video to come forward. Tips can be sent to NYPD Crime Stoppers, by calling 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or in Spanish at 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
Transit Fears Versus The Numbers
As unsettling as this wanted notice is, it lands against a backdrop of improving system-wide stats. The NYPD has said transit robberies hit record lows in 2025 and described last year as the safest on the subways since 2009 outside the pandemic period. Those findings came in a January department release that credited targeted patrols and other tactics for the decline, according to the NYPD.
How Riders Can Help, Safely
Investigators say still photos and cell phone video often make or break a case like this, and they are urging anyone who may have filmed the incidents to hold onto that footage and review it carefully. If you recognize anyone in the images, or have video from those trains, police want you to submit it through Crime Stoppers' channels and leave the actual street work to them.
The NYPD has not reported any arrests tied to the pattern as of the latest post. Officials are clear on one point: if you think you know something, contact Crime Stoppers and do not confront anyone yourself.
