The NYPD released a new surveillance video on Friday that shows two suspects who are wanted in a series of robberies across northeast Queens.
In the most recent incident, a 22-year-old woman arranged to meet one of the men at 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve inside the Tangram shopping mall at 136-44 37th Ave. in Flushing for a currency exchange.
During the exchange, the victim handed over approximately $10,000 in exchange for a fake receipt to the man who proceeded to run off with a second man with the cash, police said. The victim gave chase and when she tried to stop them she was pushed to the ground. The victim was taken to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Queens where she was treated for minor injuries.
Ten days earlier, two men arranged to meet one of the suspects at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 24, at 143-10 Ash St. in Flushing for currency exchange. During the exchange, the suspect sprayed an unknown substance into the victim’s eyes, pulled out a black firearm, and demanded money. The man took the victim’s wallet containing credit cards, cell phones, and an undetermined amount of cash before running off in an unknown direction. There were no injuries reported.
Investigators believe these men are the same as the three suspects they’ve been looking for in a series of similar robberies in the confines of the 107th Precinct in Fresh Meadows.
On Nov. 19, a 21-year-old man arranged to meet with the suspects at 73-46 194th Street with the intention of selling them a Rolex watch. When the suspects arrived at 1 p.m., they discharged an unknown substance into the victim’s face and forcibly took the watch. The suspects then fled the scene and the victim suffered minor injuries as a result.
Days later on Nov. 23, a 32-year-old man arranged to meet the suspects, to whom he intended to sell a watch, in the vicinity of 156th Street and Horace Harding Expressway. Upon meeting at 6:20 p.m. that evening, the suspects sprayed the victim with an unknown substance and snatched the watch. The suspects then fled the scene and the victim suffered minor injuries.
On Dec. 12 a 24-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman arranged a meet-up with the suspects in front of 81-23 189th Street with the intention of selling them a handbag. When they arrived at 4:50 p.m., the suspects discharged an unknown substance into the victims’ faces and grabbed the handbag. The suspects then fled the scene — the victims suffered minor injuries as a result.
The three suspects are described as men with medium complexions, approximately 30 to 40 years of age.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.
