A 66-year-old man out for an evening walk in Jamaica, Queens, was punched in the face and robbed of about $5,000 in cash on a busy sidewalk near 170th Street and Jamaica Avenue, police say. The attack happened around 8:15 p.m. on Monday, May 25, and the suspect is still on the loose.
According to NYPD Crime Stoppers, the man approached the victim on the sidewalk, struck him with a closed fist, then reached into the victim's front pants pocket and grabbed the cash before taking off. Investigators say the thief has not been identified and they are asking anyone who recognizes him to contact @NYPDTips or call the tip line.
NYPD Crime Stoppers Seeks Public's Help
NYPD Crime Stoppers is circulating a bulletin in connection with the case. The alert describes the suspect as unidentified and urges anyone with information to reach out by messaging @NYPDTips on social media or calling the Crime Stoppers tip line. Police say tips could be critical to tracking down the man who carried out the sidewalk heist.
How To Report Tips
Per the NYPD Crime Stoppers website, calls to 1-800-577-TIPS are anonymous and may qualify the caller for a cash reward if the information leads to an arrest and indictment. The site also asks anyone who may have video or photos of the incident to save that material and share it directly with investigators rather than posting it publicly.
Neighborhood Pattern
The robbery comes amid a run of street thefts in and around downtown Jamaica. In March, the NYPD's 103rd Precinct warned commuters to keep valuables secure following a series of quick-grab robberies targeting people near transit hubs, a trend highlighted when designer drip on hit list as thieves zeroed in on expensive accessories. Community leaders say crowded sidewalks and busy bus and train connections can give opportunists cover, and they continue to urge residents to stay alert and avoid confrontations.
Police say the investigation into the May 25 robbery remains active and no arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS, submit an anonymous tip online through the Crime Stoppers portal, or send a direct message to @NYPDTips on social media.
