Cops are looking for the armed suspect who met a man through a dating app then robbed him at gunpoint at a Manhattan hotel last week.
Law enforcement sources said the caper took place at 7 p.m. on May 5 at the Four Points by Sheraton Midtown West, located near the corner of West 35th Street and 10th Avenue.
A source familiar with the investigation said that the 33-year-old victim connected with the suspect on the Grindr dating app and arranged for an encounter there.
Things turned ugly, however, when the suspect walked into the victim’s room toting a firearm. Cops said he struck the man in the head with the weapon, then proceeded to steal $1,000 in cash along with the victim’s cellphone, tablet and blue jeans.
The crook fled the scene in an unknown direction.
Officers from the 10th Precinct and EMS units responded to the incident. Paramedics brought the victim to Mount Sinai West Hospital in stable condition.
Police did not provide the gunman’s physical description. He’s shown in security camera footage released Sunday wearing a black baseball cap, a white surgical mask, a white sweatshirt, black-and-white sweatpants and black-and-white sneakers, while also carrying a backpack.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at nypdcrimestoppers.com, or on Twitter @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
