Watch thief targeting Upper East Siders in their 70s, 80s steals accessories worth thousands

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A thief who snatched multiple watches worth thousands of dollars from victims in their 70s and 80s in the Upper East Side last month is on the loose, and police released surveillance images of the suspect on Friday to help track him down.

In each of the robberies, the suspect approaches his target from behind and forcibly removes the victim’s watch, which sometimes involves a brief struggle or causes pain to the person's wrist.

A 74-year-old woman was the first target in an Aug. 5 robbery that happened right around noon on East 83rd Street near Park Avenue. He made off with her Rolex worth $7,000, police said.

Weeks later, at around 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 24, the thief struck again. He approached an 81-year-old man who was walking at the corner of Third Avenue and East 68th Street, and forced the victim’s antique Omega watch from his wrist. It has a value of $25,000.

In the final robbery, which took place just before 1 p.m. on Aug. 31 on Park Avenue near East 75th Street, the thief approached an 80-year-old woman and forcibly removed her Ebel 18-karat gold watch worth $20,000.

All three victims refused medical attention.

The robber is described by police as about 40 to 50 years of age, 5’9” and 155 pounds with a slim build.

He was last seen wearing a blue long-sleeve shirt with white lettering, light-colored jeans, white sneakers, a dark-colored New York Yankees cap and a blue face mask pulled under his chin.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.