Van Cortlandt Park Alliance issues warning after several muggings

The New York Police Department and Van Cortlandt Park Alliance are advising park-goers to take caution after a string of muggings in December. Those muggings took place all around the afternoon, according to police.

The first known incident affected two victims and occurred at about 2:15 p.m. on Dec. 13.

A 67-year-old woman reported she was walking at the park when four unknown individuals drove past her on two mopeds. One of the individuals got off and demanded her phone. That individual then pushed her to the ground, forcibly taking her phone. The four individuals then fled the scene, the victim told police.

Another victim on that day — a 51-year-old man — told police he was jogging in the park when three unknown individuals approached him with two mopeds. One of the individuals took his phone and keys, then fled with the others, the victim told police.

Six days later another 67-year-old woman was the victim of a mugging, this time at knifepoint. The woman reported to police that around 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 19 an unknown person approached her on a bike displaying a knife. They then took the woman’s cell phone and fled the scene.

Thankfully no injuries were reported as a result of either mugging, according to police. However it has understandably prompted some caution for some who frequent the park. One person who grew up in the neighborhood was asked if it would affect how she walked in the park.

“You know, if you would have asked me in the past, no. But things have changed so much lately,” Madeline Peguero told The Riverdale Press. “And I honestly think that it might. It might. I just don’t want to feel like my life is in danger when I’m just trying to go walk in a park. Like, these are human needs that we need. We need nature, we need to be out.”

Though Peguero hadn’t heard of the string of robberies, she coincidentally ran into a woman who potentially may have been one of the victims of the thefts.

“A few days ago, a lady just stopped me because I had my phone out,” Peguero recounted. “And she said, ‘oh, you shouldn’t hold your phone out like that because the other day, I was just holding it out’ and some guy on a scooter just took it from me.”

CBS New York also reported there was also a robbery on Christmas Eve on one of the trails where a suspect robbed a jogger of their phone by flashing a screwdriver. DCPI was not able to confirm this particular incident.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz called the string of robberies disturbing.

“The NYPD put out data just last week that shows in terms of murders, shootings, rapes, crime is down significantly,” Dinowitz told The Press. “But in certain categories, crime is still up.”

While robberies were down citywide and in the 50th Precinct in 2023, for the month of December they were up. Citywide robberies saw a 28.3 percent increase from 1,151 in 2022 to 1,443 in 2023. The 50th Precinct saw a 25 percent increase for the month of December going from 12 to 15.

“I think the police know what they have to do, but it’s very upsetting,” Dinowitz said. “People should be able to go into the park without worrying for their safety.”

The VCPA shared some tips for park-goers to increase their safety in the park:

• Walk or run in a group–especially in the early or late hours of the day

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times

• Do not wear headphones

• Keep your phone out of sight

• Leave valuables at home

“Van Cortlandt Park is still the best place in the Bronx to enjoy nature, play sports, and get some fresh air,” the alliance wrote. “We just ask you to be cautious during these times.”

Unfortunately, the December muggings were not the only ones to take place at the park. The Press previously reported that in October three Manhattan college students were robbed at the park in broad daylight.

The first victim was a freshman who said he was robbed by an adult man on a black dirt bike while on the Empire State Trail.

The driver, dressed in black from head to toe, grabbed the victim by the neck, held up a sharp object and demanded his phone, the victim told The Press.

Two weeks later two Manhattan College sophomores were robbed by a man, of similar description, while on the Old Croton Aqueduct trail.

The two sophomores even followed the suggested tips of not going alone, at night, and paying attention to their surroundings, The Quadrangle reported, but that unfortunately did not stop the suspect.

DCPI confirmed that there have been no arrests in connection to either theft and an investigation is still ongoing.