Crime Watch UWS 11.16.23

Teenage Girl Mugged in Subway

A 15-year-old girl told police that at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 2, she was standing on the northbound platform at the Broadway 96th St. subway station when three female strangers on the southbound platform started complimenting her from across the train tracks. The three strangers crossed over to the northbound side to talk to the 15-year-old. But then they punched her in the head, pulled her hair and took her phone from her hand before fleeing topside to parts unknown, using the West 94th St. exit. Fortunately, the victim did not sustain injuries and refused medical attention at the scene. The stolen cell was an iPhone 14 valued at $926.

Man Arrested after Assaulting Relative

A 33-year-old man reported that at 6:38 p.m. on Monday, October 30, an 18-year-old male relative punched him in the face with a closed fist inside 23 West 90th St. near Central Park West and then used a metal wine rack to hit him in the face two or three times, causing pain, swelling and a visible mark under his left eye. The suspect next fled on foot in an unknown direction while the victim refused medical attention. Michael Aracena was arrested on Thursday, November 9, and charged with assault.

Police Nab Woman Who Struck Another in Party City Store

Police reported that at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, October 31, a 22-year-old woman got into a verbal dispute with a 60-year-old female stranger inside the Party City store at 660 Columbus Ave. at West 92nd St. The older woman then took a bag of candy and struck the 22-year-old on her left eye, causing substantial pain and swelling. A search of the neighborhood turned up the suspect, and Lola Jackson was arrested and charged with assault.

Violent Boyfriend Violates Order of Protection, Gets Arrested

A 36-year-old woman told police that at 12:30 a.m. on Friday, November 3, she had a verbal dispute with her 38-year-old boyfriend inside 14 West 102nd St. between Central Park West and Manhattan Ave. The boyfriend then grabbed her by the neck, causing pain. The victim also suffered a laceration on her chest in the attack, as well as a broken nail. Nathan Elliot was arrested and charged with assault. It seems he also violated an active New York State order of protection when he attacked his girlfriend.

Senior Victimized in Geek Squad Scam

A 72-year-old woman living on Riverside Dr. told police that at 3 p.m. on Monday, May 1, she was contacted by an individual claiming to be with the Geek Squad. The caller told the woman that she had been charged $500 by the company but he could refund her money. He next told her that he accidentally transferred more than the amount owed to her and needed her to return the balance. Over months of calls and coercion, the victim transferred money from her checking account into bitFlyer so the suspect could buy Bitcoin. Eventually the victim realized she was being scammed and contacted her bank. She reported that all the scam calls had originated in California. The total amount stolen came to $208,000.