Larceny on Lex, Lewdness on Q, Smash & Grab on Madison

Sunday Shoplifting at Best Buy

An unidentified individual entered a Best Buy at 1280 Lexington Ave. and began removing items from the store on Sunday, Feb. 9 at approximately 7:40 p.m. in the 19th Precinct. When a 34-year-old male employee attempted to confront the unidentified individual and retrieve the stolen goods, he was hit in the right hand as the thief fled the location on foot, traveling eastbound on Third Avenue to the proverbial “parts unknown.” The victim was treated by EMS at the scene.

Surveillance images released by NYPD show a brown-skinned male, probably in his 30s or 40s, wearing a black winter coat over a black T-shirt, an insulated skully-like black winter hat, grayish or green cargo pants, and black sneakers. He appeared to be carrying a brown paper Whole Foods shopping bag.

Indecent Exposure on the Q Train

A 67-year-old male on a southbound Q train at the 96 Street station said he observed an unidentified adult male exposing himself and performing “a lewd act” believed to be masturbation at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Feb. 18, according to the 19th Precinct and Transit District 4. Afterwards, the underground onanist exited the subway, fleeing on foot to parts unknown.

NYPD surveillance photos and video show a middle-aged black man dressed in a light blue-ish-green fake fur hat with ear flaps exiting through a subway turnstile. In his right hand is a long, thin stick—it’s not clear if it is incense, cigarette, or something else. Cupped in his left hand, the skin of which has notable dry spots, he holds a yellow lighter. He is wearing a black winter jacket, a green knapsack, and blue jeans.

Nighttime Smash & Grab at Madison Avenue Chanel Store

Again from the 19th Precinct comes a report of burglary on March 13, at approximately 11:24 a.m., when an unknown individual entered the Chanel store at 737 Madison Ave. near East 64th Street by breaking the front glass window with a pole. The individual removed property from the display and fled on foot eastbound on East 65th Street toward Park Avenue.

The suspect is described as a male, 30s, dark complexion, black beard, approximately 6’2”, 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing black jogging clothes, a white vest, a white baseball hat, and black sandals. There is no arrest and the investigation remains ongoing.

The stolen goods reportedly include two purses, one vanity case, one wallet, and one card holder with an approximate value of $12,900.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents 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 Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on X @NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential.