A routine ride on an electric bike turned tense on Wednesday evening, April 15, when a 37-year-old man was threatened at gunpoint outside 129 Alexander Avenue in the Bronx, according to police. Around 7:30 p.m., an unidentified man walked up to the rider, pulled a firearm and demanded the e-bike. The would-be robber failed to make off with the bike and instead bolted on foot. He is still on the loose.
Police Seek Tips
Investigators have circulated a still image of the suspect and are asking the public to help put a name to the face. According to NYPD Crime Stoppers, the man showed a firearm, demanded the victim’s e-bike, then ran off on foot when he did not get it. The incident is listed as happening in front of 129 Alexander Avenue at about 7:30 p.m. on April 15.
How To Report Tips
Anyone with information is urged to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or for Spanish speakers, 1-888-57-PISTA. Tips can also be submitted online or through the department’s Crime Stoppers app, according to NYPD guidance. The program offers rewards for anonymous information that leads to an arrest.
E-Bike Thefts and Patterns
This attempted robbery fits into a wider pattern of crimes where e-bikes and mopeds are central to the hit-and-run style of the offense, a trend that triggered a multi-borough manhunt late last year. Delivery workers and regular riders alike say losing an e-bike can be financially devastating, a reality examined in reporting by Columbia News Service.
What Riders Can Do
Authorities stress that riders should not try to fight off a robbery attempt. Instead, they should call 911 as soon as it is safe. To reduce the risk of theft, riders are advised to lock e-bikes to a fixed object with a heavy-duty lock, consider installing GPS tracking and keep serial numbers and clear photos stored in a safe place to help police identify a stolen bike.
Anyone who witnessed the April 15 incident or has relevant video footage is encouraged to note physical descriptions, where the suspect ran and any vehicle license plates that might be connected. That information should then be shared with Crime Stoppers or with the local precinct.
