Group Targeting Cyclists for Robbery in Fort Washington Park: NYPD

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — The NYPD is looking for a group of men ambushing and robbing cyclists in Fort Washington Park.

Police say there have been four incidents in the past month of a cyclist being attacked and robbed, including having their bikes stolen. None of the cyclists was seriously injured.

The first attack came on Aug. 15 when a group of men approached a 29-year-old cyclist just after midnight in Fort Washington Park near 171st Street and shoved him off his bike, police said. The suspects then struck him in the head with a stick and stole his bike, wallet and iPhone. He was treated at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center for swelling to his head and other cuts and bruises, police said.

The group apparently attacked again on Aug. 19 at 11:05 p.m. near West 158th Street when a 32-year-old man was hit with sticks and blunt objects and had his electric bicycle and cell phone stolen, according to police.

The third incident happened on Aug. 24 at 11:45 p.m. near 177th Street when the group hit a 34-year-old man on an electric bike in the face with a tree branch. He was transported to the hospital in stable condition. Police said no property was stolen in this incident, however.

The most recent attack occurred on Sept. 2 at 11:30 p.m. when the group emerged from some bushes and hit a 27-year-old bike rider with a wooden fence post, police said. He had his electric bike, iPhone and backpack stolen.

The fourth incident was the only one in which a victim was able to identify any of his attackers, however only one could be described well enough for a sketch, police said. Police said there are at least three people wanted in connection to the attacks.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Suspect Sketch: NYPD, Photo Credit: Patch