Politeness does not a successful robber make.
Despite using Hollywood-quality masks to impersonate cops, two men were arrested after legitimate NYPD officers uncovered emails sent by the alleged robbers, thanking the mask-making company for doing such an awesome job.
The New York Post reports the masks allegedly concealed the identities of Edward Byam and Akeem Monsalvatge, both of whom officials initially thought were white after reviewing surveillance footage. Byam and Monsalvatge are in fact two black males.
On Valentine's Day the duo allegedly donned fake police badges and uniforms to complete their masterful getup, holding up a check-cashing store on South Conduit Avenue in Rosedale and stealing $200,000.
Police officials were able to track down CFX Composite Effects, a company that specializes in creating professional, silicone masks. According to The Post, CFX handed over emails from Byam, including one that allegedly read, “I’m sending this message to say I’m extremely pleased by CFX work on the mask. The realism of the mask is unbelievable.”
During the heist, prosecutors say the men approached a female Pay-O-Matic employee with a gun, showing her a photo of her home and threatening that they knew where she lives.
Cops were also able to trace where the photo was developed.
Byam and Monsalvatge are being held without bail, awaiting armed robbery charges.