The New York City Police Department has dubbed the moped-riding, knife-wielding robber the “Midnight Hagler'' for his unique robbery techniques, and is searching for him as he becomes more brazen and violent in his arrests.
The suspect has targeted 11 victims in Brooklyn and Queens since early November.
Police said the victims are typically Hispanic men between the ages of 20 and 40 who were on their way home from work in the early morning hours.
John Mastronardi, Deputy Chief of the Department's Crimes Against Persons Division told WNBC He said the robbers negotiate in both English and Spanish.
“He has a strange MO. We call him the 'midnight haggler' because he likes to haggle with his victims,” he said. “A lot of times, if the victim creates property that he's willing to part with, he says, 'No, no, no, I don't want that, I want that.' So he ends up making a choice.”
Police said the robbers appeared to be most interested in cash and electronic devices in each incident, which began Nov. 7.
In each attack, he would approach his victims on a blue or dark-colored electric scooter, threaten them with a knife, and take their jewelry, phones and other valuables.
The NYPD said the robbers sometimes asked the victims questions to identify them.
In one instance, he asked for directions. In another article, he asked the victim if he was a construction worker.
Mastronardi said the recent attack on Dec. 10 was the most audacious yet.
“lastly [incident]”The man approached one of the victims and held a knife to his throat,” the detective said.
So far, there have been no injuries to the suspect's victims.
Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for any information leading to the man's arrest.
