The good news about the COVID-19 epidemic (Did I actually write that?) is that more people are riding bikes.
The bad news is that more bikes are being stolen. What's worse is that not all of the thieves are taking unattended bikes or breaking locks on parked machines. Perps know they're harder to identify when they're wearing masks, so some have become more brazen about how they part riders from their wheels.
Such was the case a month ago, just a few miles from my apartment. Sometimes, during rides to or from Fort Totten or Nassau County, I'll stop in Flushing--the Chinatown of Queens--for dumplings or other tasty treats. A young man who stopped in front of a restaurant near Main Street--may have had the same idea.
Whatever his intention, another young man started to talk to him. The distraction allowed another young man to approach him from behind--and slash him in the face.
He dropped his phone and bike. The guy who started the conversation scooped them up and took off. The slasher ran into a subway station a few doors away.
Everything was captured on video. I just hope someone can recognize the perps and call the NYPD hotline (1-800-577-8477 for English, 1-800-577-4782 for Spanish).
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