Cops searching for suspected subway terrorizer

(The Bronx-WABC, March 16, 2006) (WABC) -- Police in the Bronx are looking for a man they say is responsible for a crime wave in local subway stations.

Eyewitness news reporter Lisa Colagrossi is standing by in the Mott Haven section with the latest.

Police say the man has been mugging riders at subway stations around Melrose, in the area stretching from 138th Street to 149th Street. They say he's struck five times since January. They know who he is, but they haven't caught him yet

Police say the man in the picture is suspected of targeting straphangers.

Brian Ballard is just 18-years-old but has prior arrests for robbery and marijuana possession.

Police say he's terrorized people at several Bronx subway stations during the last two months.

In mid January, at the station on East 138th Street, a 41-year-old man was robbed at gunpoint.

A month later, in the same station, a woman was robbed on a southbound number 6 train.

In February, another man was robbed at gunpoint at Brook and East 138th Street.

Plus another robbery at the 149th Street station. Ballard has been identified by five victims in a photo lineup. This rash of robberies has riders on edge.

Rider: "I ride the number 6 every day too, 'cause we live right here, and it's very scary."

Rider: "Yeah, I'm concerned. I take the train to and from work."

Police are asking if you have any information about Ballard's whereabouts, to please call crime stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.

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