New Yorker stunned as gunman who tried to rob his phone returns it and apologizes for bizarre reason

A man was left astounded after a mugger who threatened him at gunpoint for his cell phone returned his device and apologized after it wasn't the model he wanted .

The incident happened in Central Park , New York, on Saturday while the victim had sat for a cigarette. The victim who spoke to the New York Post, said he had parked up by the lake for a smoke when he was approached from behind by the thief brandishing a 9mm Glock demanding, "Yo,yo give me the phone!"

After receiving the mobile device, the would-be thief realized it wasn't what he wanted, stating "This wasn't the phone I was looking for," then handed it back and offered an apology, leaving the victim completely taken aback.

After the gunman fled from the park at 106th Street and Fifth Avenue, according to the victim, units including NYPD aviation scoured the area to find the assailant but with no luck. The suspect is thought to be roughly 26 years old, last spotted in dark trousers and a black hoodie.

This recent incident follows a surge in robberies and assaults in Central Park. Both tourists and lifelong New Yorkers are finding themselves increasingly nervous due to an unsettling combination of violent youngsters, unstable homeless individuals and lawless immigrants frequenting the troubled beauty spot.

A worrying 222% increase in robberies has been recorded so far in 2024 compared with the same period in 2023, according to NYPD data. It has been reported that so far there have been 30 robberies in the park this year, compared with 10 at the same time last year.

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The authorities are now looking at ways to combat crime in the park, with Mayor Eric Adams suggesting drones could soon be used overhead. "When something happens in Central Park, it becomes a huge international story, we are on top of it and the commissioner is responding accordingly," Adams said.

Last week a group of teens were taken in to custody after allegedly mugging three people in the park, reports ABC 7 New York. The suspects approached the victims, with one apparently motioning simulating they had a gun. They are accused of mugging three victims, ages 35, 21 and 15, of their AirPods and a chain.