Steal Big Bucks In Elmhurst Heist
Armed bandits ambushed a security guard at gunpoint and swiped thousands in cash during an armored car robbery at an Elmhurst bank last Friday, Jan. 31, law enforcement sources reported.
Federal agents said the caper took place just after noon at the HSBC bank located at 82-57 Broadway off 45th Avenue.
According to information obtained by the FBI’s New York office, a 43-year-old male guard and a colleague at the security firm GardaWorld arrived at the branch to make a scheduled pickup of deposits.
Before leaving the location, authorities said, three suspects-each of whom wore heavy winter clothing-approached the 43-yearold guard.
One of the suspects reportedly displayed a .45-caliber handgun, pointed it at the victim’s face and demanded cash. Seconds later, another crook sprayed the guard with mace.
Law enforcement sources said the crooks took an undisclosed sum of cash off a handtruck used by the guard, then fled the location on foot westbound on Broadway.
Moments later, they were reportedly observed entering the getaway vehicle: a navy blue or black Ford Explorer covered in sand and salt and missing a front license plate.
Officers from the 110th Precinct responded to the heist. Paramedics removed the guard to Elmhurst Hospital Center for treatment of minor facial injuries.
Various police units canvassed the surrounding area for suspects and the missing loot but made no immedaite arrests, authorities said.
The NYPD Major Case Squad and the FBI New York office are conducting the investigation, police said.
GardaWorld is offering a $5,000 reward to the person(s) who provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of the robbers and the recovery of the stolen currency.
Anyone with information regarding the armored car robbery or the suspects’ whereabouts that could prove helpful is asked to call the FBI’s New York office at 1-212-384- 1000; all calls will be kept confidential.
