A 45-year-old woman was robbed at gunpoint early Friday morning just off Central Park near 4 West 62nd Street, in a case police are calling domestic in nature. According to the NYPD, a man approached her, flashed a handgun and took her cellphone before taking off. The woman was not physically hurt, and detectives say the investigation is still active.
As first detailed by West Side Rag, the confrontation happened around 1:40 a.m. between Broadway and Central Park West. The suspect allegedly walked up, displayed the gun, grabbed the phone and ran. An NYPD spokesperson told the outlet that the two people "knew each other on some level" but did not provide further context. The neighborhood site also reported that no arrests had been announced.
Precinct numbers give context
The block falls within the NYPD's 20th Precinct, which covers the southern stretch of the Upper West Side. The department's CompStat report for the 20th Precinct for the week of June 15-21 lists two robberies that week, seven over the previous 28 days and 37 robberies year to date, compared with 44 at the same point last year. On paper, robbery totals across the precinct are down from a year ago, even as individual gunpoint incidents like this one leave neighbors rattled.
Police response and what to watch for
Police told West Side Rag they are canvassing the area and following up on leads but are not releasing a suspect description at this time. Detectives have not announced any arrests and are asking anyone with information to contact the NYPD. The case remains open, authorities said.
The report has sparked fresh worries for some residents around Columbus Circle and Lincoln Center, where quality-of-life concerns and high-profile incidents tend to travel fast. Local groups say they are watching for updates from the department. We will continue to track the investigation and update this story if police release additional details.
