Suspects Impersonated Cops, Sprayed Victims In Series Of Robberies, Police Say
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are looking for two men who have been impersonating cops during robberies in the Bronx and Queens.
In four separate incidents the suspects pulled victims over using a white cargo van, identified themselves as police officers, forcibly removed victims from their vehicles, sprayed them with an unknown substance, and took off with cash, or credit cards.
The suspects struck three times on Thursday, September 8. Just before 1 a.m. they pulled over a 23-year-old man in front of 303 East 135th Street in the Bronx, and took his wallet which contained $300. At 10:30 that night, they pulled over a 55-year-old man on 27th Street in Queens, but did not make off with any property, an hour later they took credit cards and $20 from a 44-year-old man in front of 39-50 Crescent Street.
Most recently, on Friday, September 9, at 12:45 a.m. the pair pulled over a 58-year-old man at the corner of 35th Ave and 29th Street in Queens. They robbed him of $45 and took off.
The suspects have been described as light skinned Hispanic males.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents has been 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 Crime Stoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) and entering TIP577.