Mugger Armed With Guns, Knives, and a Smile Roams Manhattan, Ripping Off Cells

Suspected mugger

​A little guy who may not even be out of his teens is suspected of being a cell-phone bandit who stalks his victims, strikes up conversations with them, and then snatches their property at the point of a gun or knife, cops say.

So far, the 18- to 22-year-old, only 5-5 and no more than 150 pounds (without his weaponry), has conducted seven of these street and subway robberies, cops say. The first was in Harlem, but then he worked his way south to the Upper West Side and the rest of Manhattan. He has victimized people downtown, in Midtown, and Soho, among other places. No one's yet been hurt by the little peckherhead. Read on for a clear video look at the guy.

The chatty crook has usually struck between 8 and 9 a.m., picking his victims on the street or in the subway and then following them. Once he catches up, he's friendly and talkative. Then, in most cases so far, he has shown them his knife or gun and they've handed over their cell phones and other property. Check him out:

Tipsters can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or submit tips at nypdcrimestoppers.com or text info to 274637 (CRIMES), entering TIP577.