Cops are seeking to identify a man who allegedly put a cab driver in a chokehold and stole his car keys during a drop-off in Bushwick on Aug. 14.
The 54-year-old Uber driver told cops that he was driving the unidentified male suspect to the drop-off location at the corner of Shaffer Street and Broadway at 8:35 a.m. that morning.
As they approached the destination, the driver said he noticed the man performing a “lewd act” in the back seat. He then asked the man to exit the vehicle, at which point the passenger placed him in a chokehold and removed his car keys, according to authorities.
The male individual then exited the vehicle and fled on foot to parts unknown. The victim refused medical attention at the scene, cops said.
The NYPD is now asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect who is wanted in connection with the robbery.
The individual is described as male, dark complexion, medium build, approximately 20 to 30 years of age, 5’0″ tall, 180 pounds, with black hair in short braids and was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, black pants and white sneakers.
Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at , or on Twitter @NYPDTips.
In the 83rd Precinct, where the Aug. 14 incident occurred, there have been 232 reported robberies so far this year as of Sep. 3, according to the latest police department data. Reported robberies in Bushwick are up by 7.4%, when compared to the same period last year.
