Several robberies on Tuesday highlight the rising crime rate in Central Park

Central Park – The New York Police Department (NYPD) is searching for two suspects who allegedly robbed two men while they were walking through New York City's Central Park on Tuesday evening, the latest incident in a growing number of robberies and violent crimes in the park.

Robbery in Central Park

Police responded to two separate robberies within 24 hours, the most recent of which occurred just before 10:45 p.m. at West Drive and W 62nd Street.

Tuesday night

According to police, two male suspects approached two 20-year-old men, started a conversation and then robbed them.

The suspects did not display any weapons, but were able to get away with a chain and a vape pen. The victims were not injured.

No arrests were made.

Tuesday morning

At around 1 a.m., three different people were robbed right outside the park entrance at the corner of 5th Avenue and 59th Street.

According to police, the victims, aged 15, 21 and 35, were approached by a group of male suspects, one of whom claimed to have a gun and pointed to his waistband.

The suspects are said to have fled with a pair of Apple AirPods and a necklace, but were eventually caught by police.

Three teenagers aged 14, 16 and 17 were arrested, one is still at large. None of the victims were injured.

“This is the safest big city in America”

Meanwhile, New York City Mayor Eric Adams took a victory lap on the same day the robberies occurred, announcing that overall crime had declined for the seventh month in a row.

NYC Crime Statistics

While this may be the case citywide, NYPD crime statistics show that serious crimes in Central Park are up 46% this year compared to the same period last year. Robberies, meanwhile, are up 200%.

In the nearby Midtown North Precinct, overall crime increased by 10% and robberies increased by 87%.

“I think we can make better use of this huge area by using drones to monitor the urban area from the air,” Adams said. “And we are currently looking at new technologies that I think will help us. We will introduce them when the time comes.”