Cops need the public’s help in finding a thief who grabbed a phone out of a Brooklyn commuter’s hands, then assaulted him after the victim tried to get the device back.
Police said the trouble began at 11:15 a.m. on Jan. 9 on the Flatbush Avenue-bound 5 train platform, as a 25-year-old man used his iPhone 11 while sitting on a bench.
According to law enforcement agents, the crook grabbed the victim’s phone out of his hand and ran. The victim then tried to get his phone back and managed to grab the suspect’s leg.
That’s when the bandit punched and kicked the victim multiple times until an accomplice pulled the victim away. The suspect and accomplice then fled in an unknown direction, authorities said.
Cops reported that the victim suffered minor injuries to his face and arms.
On Jan. 30, the NYPD released video footage of one of the perpetrators.
Police described the phone snatcher as a man between 18 and 20 years of age, wearing a dark-colored ski jacket, black-and-white sweatpants and sneakers. His accomplice was described as a male between 16 and 20 years of age who wore a gray jacket, black sweatpants and black-and-white sneakers.
Anyone with information regarding their whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS.
