Since robberies committed by moped drivers have become more prevalent in New York City, authorities are now enforcing strict regulations on these vehicles and cases.
On Thursday last week, the NYPD seized 39 mopeds and motorcycles, issuing dozens of summonses and arresting at least one suspect.
“Not on our watch! Addressing lawlessness and community quality of life concerns, Times Square Public Safety, MidtownSouth and Midtown North precincts conducted a joint Moped Operation,” NYPD Deputy Commissioner, Operations Kaz Daughtry posted to X on Friday night.
“Thirty mopeds/motorcycles were seized, 40 summonses issued and one individual was placed under arrest for Reckless Endangerment after attempting to flee and dragging one of our cops.”
Stats from the department show that of the seven of the major crimes, motorcycles or mopeds were used as a getaway vehicle 790 times so far this year, which is a considerable increase from 156 recorded over the same span of time in 2022.
An anonymous police source reported that 80% of the recent moped-assisted robberies were tied to migrants who recently arrived in the city.
One of these suspects includes Bernardo Raul Castro Mata, a 19-year-old Venezuelan migrant charged with shooting two police officers last week in Queens while they were pursuing him. Castro Mata is also a person of interest in a string of moped robberies that have occurred in the past year.
Additionally, Josue Ruben SIlva, 21, is a wanted suspect for allegedly shooting and killing two local residents outside a Fordham Heights building, and is also reportedly suspected in several moped-assisted crimes.
While the department did not disclose where their raid took place on Thursday, they shared photos of a cops tackling an alleged perpetrator. The 18-year-old was later charged with reckless endangerment and resisting arrest at Seventh Ave and West 44th Street during the crackdown.
Despite the department’s heightened measures, some residents in the city argue that these crimes are more difficult to prevent as many of the mopeds and scooters used are unregistered, making them more challenging to detect and keep track of.
