They Robbed Youngsters At Cypress Hills Station
Police are asking the public’s help in tracking down four teenagers who allegedly lured youths to a Cypress Hills subway station on the promise of a sneaker sale, then robbed them of their shoes in two incidents last month.
The suspects were described by law enforcement sources as Hispanic males between 16 and 20 years of age.
Both of the robberies occurred at the Cypress Hills station on the J/Z line at the corner of Jamaica and Autumn avenues. In each case, police noted, the victims made contact with the suspects through a Facebook chat and arranged to purchase sneakers at the station.
Reportedly, the first incident took place at 8:25 p.m. on Oct. 12 at the mezzanine of the station. Authorities said the 16-year-old male victim was approached by the perpetrators, who forcibly removed his sneakers and fled from the scene.
Nine days later, law enforcement sources stated, the crooks removed an iPhone from a 12-year-old boy who came to the Cypress Hills train station for the purported sale at 6:40 p.m. on Oct. 21.
Both incidents were reported to the 75th Precinct and the NYPD Transit Bureau District 33. Neither victim was seriously injured.
The investigation is being conducted by the NYPD Central Robbery Squad, police said.
Anyone with information regarding the robberies or the suspects’ whereabouts that could prove helpful is asked to contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-577-TIPS, by text message to 274637 (enter information, then the code TIP577) or online at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.
All calls and messages will be kept confidential.
