Thief Steals Multiple Cameras From Photographers in NYC’s Central Park
Police are searching for a man who allegedly robbed multiple cameras worth thousands of dollars over two days in New York City’s Central Park last week.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has released photos of the male suspect who they believe was involved in at least two camera thefts inside the park over the past week.
The image appears to show the alleged thief with the stolen camera equipment.
The first theft happened around 14:20 on Friday, May 31, when a 34-year-old woman was using a Canon camera and tripod around West Drive and Terrace Drive, between Sheep Meadow and Cherry Hill in New York City’s Central Park.
According to police, the suspect snatched the camera equipment when she was distracted and then immediately ran away and fled the scene.
AMNY reports that the woman’s camera equipment was worth around $6,000.
The second theft took place the very next day when a 73-year-old man had his Nikon camera stolen near West Drive and the 79th Street Transverse around 13:30 on Saturday, June 1.
The thief allegedly grabbed the camera, which was reportedly valued at $1,500, right out of his hand. The suspect then ran away and fled from the scene.
Officers from the Central Park Precinct responded to both incidents. No injuries were reported and no arrests have been made, according to the NYPD.
However, the NYPD has released still images captured on surveillance cameras of the alleged suspect that they’re looking for. Police are looking for the same man in connection to both incidents.
Anyone with information regarding either of these incidents can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). Individuals can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or to @NYPDTips on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter). All calls and messages are kept confidential.
Two weeks ago, the NYPD announced that it had upped patrols in Central Park amid an uptick in crimes like robberies and phone-snatchings.
Earlier this year, PetaPixel reported on a “hyper-vigilant” photographer who was robbed of $16,000 worth of camera gear right under his nose.
Image credits: All photos courtesy of NYPD.
