Thieves who target pedestrians often use methods such as snatching phones, bags, or jewelry, sometimes riding mopeds or vehicles for quick getaways. Recent cases include:
- In the Bronx, New York, moped-riding thieves have conducted drive-by robberies where they grab bags or necklaces from pedestrians and flee quickly, sometimes causing minor injuries.
- In Pune, India, a group including minors was arrested for robbing pedestrians of cellphones, often targeting them in early morning hours on foot or two-wheelers.
- In Abbotsford, BC, there were attacks where pedestrians were targeted with pellets or airsoft guns from a vehicle, causing minor injuries.
- In Bristol, UK, suspects on an electric motorcycle have targeted pedestrians at bus stops or crossings to steal mobile phones.
- In Salisbury Park, a 72-year-old pedestrian was robbed of a gold chain by bike-borne thieves.
- In Chicago's South Side, armed robbers have been approaching pedestrians and delivery drivers to steal phones and wallets at gunpoint.
Historically, thieves who preyed specifically on pedestrians were sometimes called "footpads" in historic parlance.
The methods vary from direct physical assault, snatching, to using vehicles for quick escapes, with victims often caught unaware while walking or waiting at stops. Law enforcement agencies are actively investigating and seeking information to apprehend these offenders.
