Motorcyclists Target E-Bike Riders In Harlem Robberies: Police

HARLEM, NY — Men on motorcycles have stolen electric bicycles from their owners in five separate Manhattan robberies, police said.

The robberies all happened in late February, police said. Four took place in Harlem, while one was near Stuyvesant Town on the East Side.

Police asked for help Saturday finding the owner of the motorcycle involved in all five robberies.

The first robbery happened in East Harlem on Feb. 12, shortly after 8 p.m., when a 30-year-old man was stopped by two men on a motorcycle on East 109th Street, near Second Avenue. The men threatened the victim with a silver knife and grabbed his e-bike, before fleeing north on First Avenue, police said.

On Feb. 20, a 36-year-old e-bike rider was approached from behind by two men on St. Nicholas Avenue near West 133rd Street around 9:30 p.m. The men knocked him to the ground, kicked and punched him, threatened him with a knife and then fled with his e-bike, police said.

The following day, just after 8 p.m., a 21-year-old man was approached by two men on a motorcycle on First Avenue near East 19th Street. The men shoved him to the ground, kicked him on the head and fled north on First Avenue, police said.

On Feb. 23, just before 9:30 p.m., a 24-year-old delivery worker was approached by two men on Fifth Avenue near East 135th Street. The men punched the victim on the head and body and threatened him with a fake firearm before taking his e-bike and fleeing south on Fifth Avenue, police said.

Finally, on Feb. 24, a 25-year-old e-bike rider was approached on Bradhurst Avenue near West 143rd Street by two men on a motorcycle. The men pushed the victim into a parked vehicle and stole his e-bike, police said.

Police described the suspects as light-skinned males between 18 and 26 years old. Authorities shared photos of the suspects and the motorcycle used in each crime.

Police asked anyone with information about the robberies to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). People can also submit tips online or on Twitter, @NYPDTips.