Galaxy Snatchers Haunt Brooklyn Subways, Cops Say

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK -- Galaxy snatchers are roaming Brooklyn's subway system, grabbing cellphones from unsuspecting straphangers' hands, and making speedy getaways onto the subway tracks, according to police.

Police are looking for three men who have stolen seven cellphones, punched a teenager and slapped a woman in train stations in Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights over the past two months, said police.

One suspect went on a month-long Galaxy-grabbing spree inside 2 and 5 train stations in February.

The man grabbed a cellphone from a 53-year-old woman on a northbound 5 train near Franklin Avenue on Feb. 13, then jumped onto the tracks and ran away, cops said.

He also stole a Galaxy cellphone from a 53-year-old woman on a northbound 2 train near the Eastern Parkway-Brooklyn Museum station on Feb. 20, from a 48-year-old woman on a northbound 2 train near President Street station, and a 39-year-old woman, whom he slapped, inside the Grand Army Plaza station on Feb. 28, police said.

The thief jumped back into action on Wednesday at about 5 a.m. when he grabbed a Galaxy Note 9 from a 26-year-old woman on the Franklin Avenue station platform then leapt onto the tracks and ran away, according to police.

Police describe him a man in his early 20s last seen wearing a white du-rag, black shirt and white pants.

Another pair of cellphone bandits struck at the Kingston-Throop Avenues C train station the same day, according to police.

The duo demanded a Galaxy phone from a 13-year-old boy, telling the kid they had a weapon, at about 1:35 p.m., police said.

The two men returned to the station at 10 p.m. punched a 15-year-old boy and stole his iPhone, police said.

Police described the Bed-Stuy bandits as men in their late teens or early 20s who both stand about 6-feet tall and sported white Jordan sneakers. One was last seen sporting a black Nike hoodie and the other wore a gray jacket with a hood.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact police.