Bike Thieves Knock Cyclists Off Their Rides In Washington Heights And Pedal Off, NYPD Says

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — Bike thieves are pushing cyclists off their rides in Washington Heights and pedaling away, police said.

The two men attacked at least twice in August, the NYPD said. They first struck on Aug. 9, shortly after midnight, when they knocked a 44-year-old man off his bike on St. Nicholas Avenue, near West 166th Street, and fled the scene on the stolen bike, the NYPD said.

On Aug. 14 the thieves struck again, police told Patch. Shortly after midnight the suspects approached a 28-year-old man in front of a building on West 165th Street near Broadway, police said. They grabbed the victim by the head and stole his wallet, cellphone and electric bike, police said. The men once again fled the scene on the stolen vehicle, police told Patch.

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Police described both of the suspects as men in their 20s. One is 5-foot-10, weighs about 160 pounds and was last seen wearing a black and gold shirt with the "Adidas" on its chest, black sweat pants and black and gray sneakers. The second is 6 feet tall, weighs about 170 pounds and was last seen wearing a dark colored baseball cap, a white shirt, white and red sweat pants and black and red sneakers.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

Photo by NYPD