The New York Police Department is actively searching for a knife-wielding robber who rides a moped and has earned the nickname “Haggler After Midnight” due to his unique method of thievery. The suspect, whose robberies are becoming increasingly bold and violent, has struck at least 11 times.
Starting in early November, the perpetrator has chosen victims in Brooklyn and Queens, focusing on Hispanic males aged 20 to 40 who are returning home from work during the early morning hours, according to law enforcement.
Deputy Chief John Mastronardi at the department’s Crimes against Persons Unit told WNBC that the mugger negotiates in both English and Spanish.Â
“He’s got a strange M.O. – he likes to haggle with his victims, so we call him the ‘Haggler After Midnight,’” he said. “Oftentimes if a victim produces a property that they’re going to give up, he says ‘No, no, no, I don’t want that, want that.’ So he gets to choose.”
His most recent attack on Dec. 10 was his boldest yet, Mastronardi said.Â
“In the last [incident], the male approached one of our victims and put a knife to his throat,” the detective said.Â
Thus far, none of the suspect’s victims have been injured.
Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for any information that leads to the man’s capture. Â