3 juveniles in custody, 1 wanted for robbery of 3 people in Central Park; crime statistics in Central Park increased compared to last year

MANHATTAN, New York City (WABC) — A group of teenagers are in police custody after allegedly attacking three men in Central Park.

It happened around 1 a.m. Tuesday at Grand Army Plaza on the corner of 59th and Fifth Avenue.

The suspects approached the victims, with one of them apparently making gestures to suggest that he had a weapon with him.

They are accused of robbing three victims aged 35, 21 and 15 and stealing their air capsules and a necklace.

The victims were able to keep some of their property

The teenagers fled, but police caught up with three of them nearby on 57th Street.

Charges have been brought against the three suspects, aged 17, 16 and 14.

A fourth teenager is still being sought.

No firearm was found and the victims said they never saw one.

The number of robberies in Central Park has increased by 200% this year: 30 were reported, compared to only 10 at the same time last year.

In addition, there were ten serious physical injuries compared to seven in the same period last year. This corresponds to an increase of 42.9%.

The number of serious crimes has increased by 46%. In 2024 there were 73 incidents, compared to 50 in 2023.

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