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Gunman sought for attempted robbery of 7 train rider who refused to comply in Woodside: NYPD

Cops are looking for this suspect who allegedly tried to rob a 7 train rider in Woodside who stood his ground, refusing to hand over his property. NYPD

June 6, 2024 By Bill Parry

Police from the 108th Precinct in Long Island City and Transit District 20 are on the lookout for a gunman who tried to rob a 7 train rider in Woodside late last month.

A 45-year-old man was changing cars as the 7 train was nearing the 69th Street subway station when he realized he was being followed by a man in a gray hooded sweatshirt.

By the time he reached the last car of the train, the suspect confronted him and demanded his backpack. The victim refused, and even when the assailant lifted his sweatshirt to reveal a handgun in his waistband, he continued to resist. The standoff persisted until the 7 train stopped at 69th Street, according to an NYPD spokeswoman.

The victim stepped off the train as the subway doors closed. The gunman remained on the train as it pulled out of the station. The rider was not injured during the attempted robbery.

The NYPD released surveillance photos of the suspect as he came through the station turnstile and described him as approximately 45 years old with a light complexion and a medium build. In addition to the gray hooded sweatshirt, the gunman wore gray sweatpants and a black backpack of his own.

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 crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.

Through June 2, the 108th Precinct has reported 108 robberies so far in 2024, 3 less than the 111 reported at the same point last year, a decrease of 2.7%, according to the most recent CompStat report. Transit crimes are on more of a decline in the precinct with 23 reported so far this year, 14 fewer than the 37 reported at the same point last year, a decline of 37.8%, according to CompStat.