According to authorities on Friday, 23 persons were robbed of their chains and jewelry throughout New York City by a two-person gang of traveling jewelry thieves operating a gas-powered scooter.
Police posted pictures of the suspects in the hopes that someone would recognize them. The two, who wear helmets and ride a scooter with a delivery bag on the back, started their mugging spree on April 9.
According to police, the pair was behind 23 jewelry robberies and chain snatchings in Harlem, downtown Brooklyn, and southern Brooklyn by the end of June.
Each time, the two get on their scooter, roll up, take off the jewelry with force, and drive away. According to authorities, their victims’ necks were pulled of the chains and necklaces, causing minor injuries.
Between April 29 and May 2, they robbed three teenagers in separate events in Ridgewood and Woodhaven, Queens, which served as the focal point of their heist.
In both instances, they went up to their victims in the afternoon and tore necklaces from their gullible victims as they went by.
According to police, two of the victims were only 13 years old. According to police, during one of these robberies, the perpetrators choked their victim with a knife before escaping with his chain.
In addition to the black moped, the thieves have occasionally been observed riding a red one.
If you have any information regarding these two, police ask that you contact NYPD CrimeStoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. Every call will be kept private.
