Police need the public’s help in finding a cop-impersonating crook who tried to extort money from a man in Astoria last month.
According to police, at 7 p.m. on Sept. 13, an unidentified man approached a residence in the vicinity of 34th Street and Broadway with a shield around his neck and identified himself as a police officer to the 30-year-old man inside.
The man then threatened the victim, saying that he has to donate money to the 114th Precinct and if he refused, he better leave Queens.
The suspect ultimately fled the scene empty-handed in a silver car.
Cops described the suspect as a Hispanic man with a light complexion, short black hair, long black beard and a heavy build, standing 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing 280 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, black jeans and tan shoes.
Anyone with information in regards to this incident 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 CrimeStoppers website, on Twitter @NYPDTips or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
Neither the 114th Precinct nor any other precinct in New York City solicits or accepts donations for its own purposes. The New York City Police Foundation is the only charitable cause supporting the NYPD, and it does not make solicitations by phone or door-to-door. If you’re interested in donating to the New York City Police Foundation, visit their website.
