Bronx Robbery: Police Release Images of 12-Year-Old Girl Attacked by Muggers Near Bus Stop

Police in the Bronx are seeking the help of the public after a 12-year-old girl was mugged in broad daylight. As part of the active investigation into the incident, the police have released images of the suspects this week.

​On 14 February at approximately 12:20 p.m., a 12-year-old girl standing near the corner of Stratford Avenue and East 172nd Street bus stop in Soundview was approached by two unidentified individuals. The suspects then shoved the girl against a wall and ripped two necklaces she was wearing before fleeing on foot.

​According to sources that told The New York Post, the suspects nabbed a total of $1,500 (approximately £1,120) worth of necklaces from the girl.​

NYPD Crime Stoppers Reveal Images of the Robbery Suspects

The perpetrators, who appear to be young men, were believed to have fled westbound on East 172nd Street after snatching the necklaces from the young girl. The New York Police Department (NYPD) released images of the said suspects as they urged the public to come forward with any information regarding their identities.

The visuals were shared on the NYPD Crime Stoppers channels and are intended to help identify individuals involved in the robbery. Investigators say anyone who recognises the people in the images or has relevant information should come forward.

On X (formerly Twitter), The NYPD Crime Stoppers' post on Wednesday highlighted 'WANTED FOR A ROBBERY,' and attached photos of the robbers.

The post read, 'The unidentified individuals pushed the victim against a wall and forcibly removed two necklaces from the victim's neck. The unidentified individuals then fled the location on foot westbound on East 172 Street.'

Also included in the post is how the public can share any information: 'Anyone with information regarding 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 Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, on X
@NYPDTips.'

Both suspects in the images released by the NYPD Crime Stoppers are wearing black jackets, and both appear to be holding their mobile phones.

Safety Concerns Rise Amid Robbing Incident

Reports say the girl was assaulted after getting off a bus, and that she was taken to the 43rd Precinct stationhouse for minor injuries to her neck.

According to them, the 12-year-old victim may not have sustained serious injuries from the incident, but it has raised concerns among residents of the area and among the police officials in the 43rd Precinct.

In recent months, a string of daylight and street-level robberies has been recorded. The robbery of the 12-year-old girl is not an isolated event, but part of a broader pattern that has plagued the city in the past few months. The NYPD has been consistent in urging the public to cooperate with investigations.

As it is common for law enforcement to conceal their identities where minors are involved, the police have yet to make the victim's information public. Surveillance video often plays a key role in street-level robbery investigations, and, as such, the police said investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby establishments.

With alarming incidents such as this, law enforcement officials emphasise that community cooperation is crucial in helping identify and apprehend the suspects, especially when juvenile victims are targeted.