NYPD detectives are seeking the public's help in busting two men suspected of pulling off more than a dozen commercial armed robberies in Queens, including some about a half-mile from the Nassau County border.
Thieves have targeted bodegas, pharmacies, gas stations, supermarkets and mobile- phone stores mainly in southern Queens communities, including Laurelton, Jamaica Estates and Springfield Gardens. Other robberies have occurred in Kew Gardens Hills, Jackson Heights and Queens Village, said police.
The crimes identified as being part of the pattern began in late November. The two most recent took place about 40 minutes apart on Sunday when the suspects hit two Mobil stations, one at 8 p.m. at 228-20 Merrick Blvd. in Laurelton and another at 8:40 p.m. at 165-01 Hillside Ave. in Jamaica, investigators said.
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According to detectives, the two prime suspects wear masks. One also usually has on a Yankees baseball hat, while the other wears a black skull cap, police said. The NYPD released two surveillance videos showing the suspects.
Handguns were displayed during several of the robberies in which cash was taken from store registers and some customers were ordered to lie on the floor, according to the NYPD. Police said no injuries have been reported. In one case last month, a cellphone was taken from a drugstore in Jamaica in addition to cash.
NYPD officials were unavailable to comment Monday about whether any similar cases in Nassau County were being reviewed as being part of the pattern. The Laurelton incident on Sunday occurred about a half-mile from the Nassau County border.
Police said they were asking anyone with information about the robberies to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (8477). Tips can also be submitted by logging into the website nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting to 274637 (CRIMES), and then entering TIPS577. Police said that all calls are strictly confidential. ___
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