By Rich Bockmann
A crew of Queens stick-up artists is facing life in prison after they were convicted last week of robbing two borough check-cashing stores while wearing Hollywood-style special effects masks to conceal their identities.
Edward Byam, Derrick Dunkley and Akeem Monsalvatge were found guilty in Brooklyn federal court Aug. 9 of robbing two Pay-O-Matics at gunpoint in 2012, according to U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch of the Eastern District.
The dark-skinned thieves thought they could elude capture by wearing high-end special effects masks that made them appear to be Caucasian, she said.
“Those who would use violence and intimidation to make a quick buck should take this as a lesson: Whatever tricks and deception they employ, they will be found and they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Lynch said.
Agents with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Byam purchased one of the “Mac the Guy” masks in 2011 from the Composite Effects Co.
The company’s website shows the basic Mac model goes for $569.95. Eyebrows bump the price up to $629.95.
Authorities said the crew first struck in 2010, when they handcuffed and assaulted a teller at one of the check cashiers and made off with $40,000.
On Feb. 14, 2012, they were at it again, this time dressed as NYPD officers.
As a female employee arrived at the Pay-O-Matic around 8 a.m., the three faux cops got out of a dark-colored SUV and showed her a photograph of her house before taking her inside and robbing the place of $200,000 at gunpoint, according to prosecutors.
They left the photo at the scene and on the back was printed the ID number for a Walgreens in Springfield Gardens. The stores records showed the photos had been printed for Byam, the U.S. attorney’s office said.
Police said that after circulating surveillance images of the robbers, they got a tip the culprits might be wearing high-end masks.
Records from Composite Effects then showed Byam sent an e-mail saying he was “extremly [sic] pleased by cfx work on the mask … the realism of the mask is unbelievable.”
All three men are facing 32 years to life after being convicted of robbery, conspiracy and using a firearm, according to Lynch.
Reach reporter Rich Bockmann by e-mail at rbockmann@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4574.
