Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying three men who are responsible for stealing hundreds of dollars, checks, cellphones and other electronics from six Astoria businesses.
According to the NYPD, the burglaries occurred in February and March at businesses along major corridors such as Broadway, Crescent Street and 31st Street.
The first incident in the pattern occurred on Feb. 19 at about 7 a.m. One suspect entered Manavi Market at 23-38 31st St. through an unlocked window in the back of the store. He stole two cash register drawers, which had approximately $250 inside and also took $400 from a desk drawer. The suspect then fled the location.
On Feb. 26 at about 2:30 a.m. a suspected entered Sac’s Place Italian Restaurant at 22-41 Broadway through a front screen window and stole $100 in cash from the register. He then fled the location.
On March 3, two suspects hit up a Green Apple Delight at 29-12 Crescent St. at about 3:08 a.m. They entered the smoothie store through a basement window and stole $850 in cash and other property. The duo then fled westbound on 30th Avenue, police said.
One suspect failed to enter Old Neighbors, a dry cleaner and laundry business at 34-17 Broadway. He tried entering through the back door on March 17 at approximately 2:28 a.m. and fled the location once he realized he count not enter.
On the same day, a suspect entered Chicken Shack at 36-19 Broadway through the back door. At about 5 a.m. he took blank checks from the restaurant and then fled the location.
On March 31, at about 5:30 a.m., a suspect through a hard object through the front glass door of Mokja Korean Eatery at 35-19 Broadway. He then stole one paycheck, two cellphones and an unknown amount of tablets.
Police describe the first suspect as a black male, approximately 5 feet, 8 inches and 180 pounds and last seen wearing dark clothing.
The second suspect is a white male, approximately 5 feet, 8 inches and 150 pounds.
The third suspect is a black male who is approximately the same height and 190 pounds.
Anyone with information in regards to these incidents is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
