Moped Mugger’s Peculiar ‘Haggling After Midnight’ Spree Baffles New York Police

New York City Police are on the trail of a peculiar criminal dubbed the “Haggler After Midnight,” who has been causing a stir with a series of bizarre crimes. This enigmatic mugger has been striking in Brooklyn and Queens since early November, targeting Hispanic men aged between 20 and 40 as they make their way home during the early hours. What sets this criminal apart is his unconventional modus operandi of engaging his victims in negotiations, hence earning the moniker “Haggler After Midnight.”

The suspect, who adeptly converses in both English and Spanish, has left law enforcement baffled with his audacious and atypical approach to muggings. According to Deputy Chief John Mastronardi of the Crimes against Persons Unit, the mugger’s preference seems to revolve around cash and electronics, with each incident involving a similar pattern. Riding a blue or dark-colored motorized scooter, he brandishes a knife to intimidate his victims, coercing them into surrendering their valuables, which typically include jewelry and phones.

In a rather peculiar twist, the mugger has been reported to engage his victims in conversation, probing them with questions to gauge their suitability as targets. Instances where he sought directions or inquired about a victim’s occupation have added a layer of intrigue to his already eccentric behavior. Despite the escalation of violence in his most recent attack on December 10, where he held a knife to a victim’s throat, fortunately, none of the victims have sustained physical harm thus far.

The New York Police Department has appealed to the public for assistance in apprehending the “Haggler After Midnight,” emphasizing the urgency of bringing this unusual criminal to justice. Crime Stoppers has even offered a cash reward for any information leading to the mugger’s capture, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

The spree of the “Haggler After Midnight” serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability and strangeness that can characterize criminal activities in urban settings. The audacity and idiosyncratic nature of this mugger’s approach have not only puzzled law enforcement but also captured the attention of the public, highlighting the need for vigilance and community cooperation in combating such bizarre crimes.