NEW YORK, NY – Detectives are investigating a string of armed and simulated-weapon robberies across four New York City precincts in recent weeks, with at least six incidents reported between mid-December and early January.
The first incident occurred on December 17 in the 83rd Precinct, where four unidentified individuals entered a commercial establishment at 1695 Broadway around 3:05 p.m. One suspect simulated a firearm while another tried to take money from the cash register. The group fled on foot without taking any cash or property. No injuries were reported.
Days later, on December 21, three individuals targeted a 64-year-old man near Herkimer Street and Buffalo Avenue in the 81st Precinct. The suspects escorted the victim into a smoke shop at 320 Ralph Avenue, where they stole approximately $200 before fleeing.
On December 30, in the 79th Precinct, three suspects entered a store at 504 Nostrand Avenue around 8:30 p.m. One displayed a firearm and demanded money, taking about $500 from the register before escaping on foot.
The pattern continued into the new year. On January 3, two individuals entered a business at 98-05 Jamaica Avenue in the 102nd Precinct around 11:55 a.m., where one brandished a firearm and the other stole $600, six iPhones, and two Nintendo Switch consoles before fleeing westbound on Jamaica Avenue.
The next day, January 4, two more robberies occurred within hours in the 79th Precinct. The first, at 148 Tompkins Avenue, involved three suspects who threatened a 32-year-old male clerk, stealing $200 and an iPhone. About an hour later, three individuals entered the same Nostrand Avenue business targeted days earlier, again displaying a firearm and taking $200 from the register before fleeing eastbound on Halsey Street.
No injuries were reported in any of the six incidents. Investigators believe the crimes may be linked, given the similar methods and overlapping locations.
Detectives from multiple precincts and borough commands are working jointly to identify the suspects and determine possible connections between the robberies.
