March 22, 2008: Vol. 31, No. 12

A thief who mugged a woman after putting her in a headlock early on March 15 was quickly arrested by cops who drove the victim around the neighborhood after the crime.

The 27-year-old victim told police that she had been walking along Carroll Street, just east of Seventh Avenue, with a friend at around 2 am when a thug ran up, put her in a headlock and screamed, “Shut up and give us your bags and stuff.”

She did not give up the “stuff” easily, struggling with her assailant until he punched her into submission.

After she released the bag, the perp — or perps — fled. Minutes later, though, two officers were on the scene, and the victim was driven around the neighborhood looking for her mugger.

The man was spotted quickly, near the corner of Eighth Avenue and Lincoln Place, and was arrested and charged with robbery.

At the time, he was with a woman, though it is unclear if she was involved in the crime. The perp had used the word “us” in his original attack, suggesting that he did have an accomplice, but neither the victim nor her friend got a good look at the second suspect.

All of the stolen goods — except for $55 — was on the perp, cops said.

©2008 The Brooklyn Paper