Detectives are looking for multiple suspects who got away with thousands of dollars in cash and cannabis products during a citywide business robbery pattern throughout April.
In 13 separate robberies between April 15-29, police reported, a group of men armed with guns and knives held up a variety of commercial establishments in Manhattan and the Bronx, including delis and smoke shops.
One suspect kicked off the month-long crime spree at the Chop Cheese Deli at 3661 Broadway in Hamilton Heights on April 15, at approximately 3:55 a.m., demanding cash from the 47-year-old male victim behind the counter, police said.
At one point during the frightening encounter, the suspect lifted his shirt to show the the victim a gun in his waistband before feeing with approximately $1,300, according to police sources.
The following week, on Tuesday, April 23 at approximately 12:40 a.m., a group of six perps barged into a smoke shop wearing COVID-style face masks. According to police sources, a verbal disputed ensued after the 36-year-old male employee told the suspect to take their masks off. One of the suspects then threatened the victim with a gun before fleeing to parts unknown, taking no cash or merchandise.
After their failed attempt, the suspect then robbed five other commercial establishment that same night, getting away with more than $3,000 and thousands in marijuana and tobacco products, according to law enforcement sources.
In one of those incidents, five perps entered a smoke shop at 1357 East Gun Hill Rd. in Laconia, the Bronx, at approximately 4 a.m. and snatched $300 and various tobacco products. In an attempt to capture the criminals, a 42-year-old male employee ran out of the store and attempted to lock the suspects inside to prevent their escape.
According to law enforcement officials, the perps then used a a ladder to break through the glass door and fled to parts unknown, still holding on to the cash and merchandise.
Later in the month on Friday, April 26, at approximately 2:30 a.m., four perps robbed a food truck parked at the corner of Third Avenue and East 163rd Street, police said. The suspects forced the 21-year-old employee into the truck before grabbing $500 in cash, along with the victim’s cell phone.
Police reported that there were no injuries from any of these robberies. Cops also released photos of some of the suspects involved in the crimes. No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Similar group robberies occurred throughout April, and the NYPD has classified them as a citywide robbery pattern.
Anyone with information regarding any of these incidents can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
