Teens on bikes commit muggings

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- Some groups of kids riding bikes in New Haven are causing trouble. Police say they beat up victims and rob them.

The increasing number of muggings by teens on bikes comes as no surprise to Tom Saleeba, who is disabled and confined to a wheelchair. It's happened to him right in his Fair Haven neighborhood.

"I've been robbed quite a few times by them," Saleeba said.

"By the kids on the bikes," asked News 8's Erin Cox.

"Yeah," he said.

Most street robberies are happening in Fair Haven. The group of male riders coming up on someone walking, surrounding the victim, grabbing smart and cell phones, tablets and handbags, in some cases roughing them up before pedaling off.

"I've had two guns pointed at my head and all I had on me was a dollar bill and they even took that," Saleeba said.

The bike riding bandits are striking in Newhallville as well as shopping areas downtown, sometimes brandishing fake guns.

Now officers are stopping teens on bikes to try and determine who might be up to no good.

"If they talking about bringing the muggings down that's its own thing on its own, but on bikes everybody is on bikes," said....

News 8 has got your back with tips to not be a target. Ladies put that purse over your shoulder and everyone don't stand in the middle of the sidewalk with your tablet, or talking or texting on your cell phone. Instead put your back up against a wall.

"People who prey on people often look for those who are distracted or who just look like they are unaware that they are in the city," said Officer David Hartman, New Haven PD.

Since these kids are roving around on two wheels it's a real challenge for cops to catch the mobile criminals.

"They just don't care," said Saleeba, "they don't."