Used BB Gun To Steal From Victims
Hours after allegedly going on a carjacking spree in Long Island City and Sunnyside, a BB gun-toting thief was collared by police in Brooklyn last Thursday, May 9, law enforcement sources reported.
Nicolas Almonte, 27, of Borden Avenue in Long Island City was reportedly taken into custody last Thursday afternoon at the 94th Precinct stationhouse in Greenpoint following an manhunt by the NYPD.
Police said Almonte-while displaying a BB gun that reportedly looked similar to a real handgun- stole three vehicles from drivers on the streets of Long Island City and Sunnyside-and robbed a truck driver of cash in a fourth incident-in about an hour last Thursday morning.
“[Almonte] is accused of terrifying the Long Island City community by walking up to vehicles and pedestrians and demanding their property while pointing a weapon at them,” Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said in a statement on Saturday, May 11. “Fortunately, the gun turned out to be a BB gun and nobody was physically injured. However, that does not negate the fear that he instilled in them, or the fact that the defendant now faces the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence.”
Law enforcement sources said the trouble began at around 9:37 a.m., when officers from the 108th Precinct responded to a robbery originating from a location on Borden Avenue between 21st and 23rd streets, a short distance from Almonte’s place of residence.
According to information obtained by police, a woman was driving her black 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLK280 when Almonte allegedly entered the car, pointed the BB gun at the woman and threatened to kill her if she did not drive.
Prosecutors said Almonte allegedly directed the woman-while holding the gun to her head-to drive over the Ed Koch-Queensboro Bridge, then to return back to Queens. During the drive, he reportedly demanded money from the victim and tossed her cell phone out of the car.
Police said Almonte allegedly exited the Mercedes while stopped at a red light at the corner of Thomson Avenue, Queens Boulevard and Van Dam Street. After unsuccessfully attempting to rob a white Ford Econoline van, authorities said, Almonte was allegedly able to commandeer gray 2007 Lexus E350 sedan from a male victim at about 10 a.m.
According to the district attorney, the suspect allegedly banged the gun against the window of the Lexus and threatened to shoot the driver if he didn’t hand over his phone and get out of the car. Reportedly, the victim exited the vehicle and threw the phone to the ground.
Reportedly, Almonte drove the Lexus to the intersection of 38th Street and Hunters Point Avenue, where he ditched the vehicle.
At about 10:07 a.m., police said, Almonte allegedly approached a woman as she walked her dog in the vicinity of 50th Avenue and 39th Street, about a block north of where the Lexus was ditched. He reportedly placed the gun to the victim’s neck and demanded her car keys.
When the victim informed him that she did not have any keys with her, police said the suspect went into her pockets, then fled emptyhanded on foot.
Thirteen minutes later, law enforcement sources said, Almonte allegedly approached a male truck driver in the vicinity of 38th Street and Hunters Point Avenue and robbed a sum of cash at gunpoint.
Finally, at around 10:30 a.m., Almonte reportedly carjacked a third individual at the corner of 39th Street and Greenpoint Avenue in Sunnyside, fleeing from the scene inside a gold 1996 Mercedes-Benz C280.
Almonte was charged with five counts of first-degree robbery, one count of first-degree attempted robbery, three counts of second-degree robbery and one count of unlawful imprisonment.
According to court records, Almonte was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court last Saturday before Judge Gia Morris, who ordered him held without bail. The suspect is scheduled to return to court on May 28; if convicted of the charges, he faces up to 25 years behind bars.
The 108th Precinct Detective Squad conducted the investigation.
