Armed Suspect Caught After Threatening Scooter Owner With Taser

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — An armed suspect in an electric scooter theft is in NYPD custody after threatening the scooter's owner with a Taser and pepper spray, thanks to a quick response by Shmira volunteers.

What happened

The suspect stole an expensive electric scooter at 18th Avenue and 63rd Street. The owner immediately gave chase. During the pursuit, the suspect pulled out a Taser and pepper spray and threatened the owner.

Shmira volunteers were immediately alerted and quickly responded. Following a brief foot pursuit, the suspect was apprehended at 16th Avenue and 65th Street and taken into custody by the NYPD.

If your scooter or e-bike is stolen

Electric scooters and e-bikes are a growing target for thieves across Brooklyn, and as this case shows, some thieves are armed. Here is what to do:

• Do not chase an armed suspect. No scooter is worth getting hurt over.
• Call 911 and Shmira right away. Give the location, the direction the thief went, and a description.
• Keep your safe distance and let and trained responders handle the suspect.
• Keep a record of your scooter's serial number and a photo of it, so police can identify it.
• Lock it every time with a strong lock, and park in busy, well-lit places.
• Mark it as yours with an engraving or a hidden tracker, so a stolen scooter is harder to sell and easier to get back.

Shmira thanks our volunteers for their fast response and the NYPD for taking the suspect into custody. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the NYPD or Shmira.