Three teen boys were arrested for mugging another trio in Central Park, authorities confirmed. The victims, aged 15, 21, and 35, were targeted near Grand Army Plaza at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue by four young suspects around 1 a.m. One of the boys pretended to have a gun while the others stole the victims’ AirPods and jewelry. While one of the suspects managed to escape, the remaining three were apprehended and are currently facing pending charges.
The recent incident adds to the growing number of robberies and assaults in Central Park. Data from the NYPD indicates a significant increase in reported robberies, with a 222% surge in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This year alone, there have been 29 reported incidents, surpassing the total number reported in 2019. Felonious assaults have also doubled, rising from five to 10, and exceeding the seven reported in all of 2019.
In a separate incident on August 1st, a group of up to 20 individuals, some suspected to be as young as 8 years old, surrounded and robbed a 37-year-old software developer named Julian De Flandres near Wollman Rink. Additionally, in mid-July, a Citi Bike rider hurled anti-semitic slurs at and physically assaulted a 70-year-old man named Allan Ripp along West Drive near the West 97th Street Transverse.
The alarming trend of criminal activities in Central Park highlights the need for increased security measures and vigilance among park visitors. Authorities are urging the public to remain cautious and report any suspicious behavior to help combat the rising incidents of robberies and assaults in the iconic greenspace.
