Police released this photo of the suspect taken inside one of the livery cabs. Credit: DCPI
Police are searching for an armed man in connection with at least five livery cab robberies in Brooklyn.
The suspect entered a livery cab at the corner of Bedford Avenue and Empire Boulevard about 4 p.m. on Dec. 6, police said. As the 69-year-old victim drove to the requested destination, the suspect pulled out a knife and demanded the victim’s money and cellphone. The driver initially refused and the suspect cut him on his finger. The victim then handed over some cash and his Samsung phone, and the suspect fled.
Police have linked the suspect to at least four similar robberies this year.
The first incident occurred on July 2 near East 79th Street and Farragut Road in Canarsie when the suspect pulled out a gun and robbed a 49-year-old livery cab driver.
He targeted two drivers in Bed-Stuy in October. In both instances, he pressed a knife against the victims’ necks, police said. He got away with money and a cellphone in one robbery, but did not take anything in the second.
On Nov. 15, while inside a livery cab in Canarsie, the suspect pressed an object against a driver’s neck, demanded property and then pushed the driver out of the vehicle and fled with it. The car was later recovered.
Police released a photo on Thursday night of the suspect, who is described as a 25-year-old black male, 5-foot-8 and weighing 180 lbs.
Anyone with information in regards to this robbery pattern is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-577-TIPS.
