The suspect and Masjid Dar Al-Dawah Mosque, located at 35-13 23rd Ave. (NYPD and Google Maps)
March 22, 2021 By Michael Dorgan
Police are looking for a suspect who swiped an expensive e-bike in Astoria earlier this month – just minutes after the owner parked it outside a mosque.
The bike’s owner had left his e-bike outside Masjid Dar Al-Dawah Mosque, located at 35-13 23rd Ave., on March 11 at around 3:25 p.m. and was inside the mosque when he heard the bike’s alarm going off, according to police.
The man rushed outside and saw the assailant trying to steal his wheels, valued at around $1,700, police said.
The victim tried to stop the theft and a struggle ensued but he was pushed back by the suspect who then began to take-off on the bike, police said.
The owner of the bike managed to grab a hold of the bike as it was moving away and he was dragged across the street before eventually relinquishing his grip, police said.
The suspect then sped off westbound on 23rd Avenue.
EMS responded to the scene and treated the victim for minor injuries to his knees and wrist, police said.
The suspect is described as having a light complexion and being around 6 feet tall with straight dark hair. He was last seen wearing a black waist-length jacket, a hooded sweatshirt and dark-colored jeans.
Police released video footage of the suspect riding the E-bike.
Anyone with information in regard to 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 WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM, on Twitter @NYPDTips.
