Police Blotter: Man Punches Woman in Ribs and Steals Purse on Third Ave

The following information was supplied by the 78th Precinct of the NYPD. It does not indicate a conviction.

Punch and Grab on Third Ave  

Police arrested a 52-year-old mugger who approached a woman eating on the corner of Third Avenue, punched her and stole her purse on April 18.  

The victim told police that she was eating breakfast at around 5:34 a.m. while sitting on the corner of Third Avenue between Douglass and Butler streets, when a black man ran up and punched her in the ribs. He stole her purse and fled on foot down Third Avenue at around 5:39 a.m. Officer Bailey Misbah and Sgt. Kamala Roper apprehended the 52-year-old robber at Union Street and Third Avenue, with the purse and $20 cash and cellphone inside. 

Thief Steals Good Samaritan’s Wallet  

A crook stole a wallet from a man dropping off donations at a Fourth Avenue business on April 19.  

The 39-year-old Good Samaritan told police that he went to U-Haul Truck Rental on Fourth Avenue, between Fifth and Sixth streets, at around 7:10 a.m. to drop off donated goods. He left his wallet inside his jacket and left it unattended for five minutes. During that time, a 55-year-old man standing about 5-foot-7 with olive skin, went through the pockets and stole the victim’s wallet and left. The crook, who had a mustache and was wearing a white track suit and white sneakers, got away with the victim’s wallet with 50 Euros, $25 Starbucks gift card, $25 Friday’s gift card, ATM card, driver’s license and four credit cards.