The criminals operate in groups of three to eight. Three victims have been robbed at the Grand Concourse and East 175 Street station on the D line.

 

In each case, police say the suspects approach the victims and punch them repeatedly before stealing their property. Authorities say the pattern dates to Dec. 26, when a 37-year-old man walked into the station shortly after 10 p.m., swiped his MetroCard and was put in a chokehold by one suspect while two other suspects beat him up and stole cash and his cell phone.

 

On Jan. 10, a 32-year-old man entered the subway station and was walking to the southbound platform when three suspects walked up from the northbound platform and started to follow him. One suspect punched him in the face; two others stole his belongings while punching him as well.

 

Police say the most recent robbery was Jan. 19, when seven men walked up to a 23-year-old woman in the subway at about 6:30 p.m. One suspect grabbed her phone from her hand and punched her in the face. The victim tried to hold the suspect, but he choked her and pushed her down the stairs. Then he and the other six suspects ran off.

 

One of the suspects is described as being about 17 to 20 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall and 160 pounds. He was wearing a blue denim jacket with a horseshoe emblem, a red wool ski hat and blue jeans. A second suspect is described as being 20 to 25 years old and 6 feet tall with a medium build. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and a striped shirt.

 

Anyone with information about the robberies is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).