Metro Motel, at 7300 Queens Boulevard, where the duo was arrested (Google Maps) (Crimestoppers)
April 26, 2019 By Meghan Sackman
Police arrested two men at a Woodside motel Thursday wanted in connection with a string of armed robberies that took place in Astoria and Woodside over the past two months.
Police arrested Khyrel Ware, 21, of Long Island City, and Luis Martinez, 19, of Astoria, and charged them both with multiple counts of robbery.
The pair were found by chance at the Metro Motel, located at 73-00 Queens Blvd. The police were searching for a man with an outstanding warrant when they came across the men and nabbed them.
The duo had allegedly robbed seven residents within the confines of Astoria and Woodside between February and April, police said. The men were armed with either a knife or gun and took cellphones, cash, jewelry, wallets and clothing from their victims.
Police say the duo are responsible for the following robberies:
— On Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 1:15 a.m. in the vicinity of 41st Street and 34th Avenue, the pair approached a 38-year-old man, one of them displayed a knife, and demanded that he withdraw money from a nearby ATM. They took $100 from the victim and fled.
— On Sunday, Feb. 17 at around 4 p.m., in front of 38-16 31st St., the robbers threatened a 16-year-old boy with a knife and demanded his property. They stole his jewelry and cash before fleeing.
— On Monday, March 18 at around 5 p.m., inside a building in the vicinity of 31st Street and 38th Avenue, the pair approached two men, an 18-year-old and a 24-year old, took their cell phones and cash at knifepoint and fled in an unknown direction.
— On Thursday, April 11, around 12:40 a.m., the two men demanded the property of a 25-year-old man at gunpoint in front of 47-05 Newton Rd. They took the victim’s cell phone, jewelry and wallet before fleeing.
— On Thursday, April 11, at around 7 p.m., the two approached a 21-year-old man in the vicinity of Skillman Avenue and 54th Street, with one of the suspects displaying a firearm and demanding the victim’s property. They stole the victim’s cell phone and cash before fleeing the location.
— On Sunday, April 14, at around 10 p.m., it was reported to police that the two robbers approached three victims — a 20-year-old male, a 19-year-old female, and a 18-year-old male — inside 35-3 38th Street. One of the men displayed a gun and demanded their property. They took some of the victims’ clothing and fled.
— On Friday, April 19, around 1:30 a.m., one of the men– riding an E-Bike–approached a 25-year-old man who was walking in the vicinity of Newtown Road and 44th Street. The thief displayed a firearm before removing the victim’s wallet.
