Residents of Queens are on high alert after a string of robberies has left several people without their valuables, and one owner in particular without his beloved dogs. According to ABC7NY, the spree included the theft of two French bulldogs, Cookie Monster and Pinky, from a victim's home, after he was previously mugged of his apartment keys and phone in a threatening encounter where his hands were zip tied.
Police are on the lookout for two men suspected to be in their twenties, details have been released describing one as about 20 to 25 years old, with a height of around 5'8" and weighing 180 pounds. The other suspect is thought to be between 25-30 years old, standing at about 6' and 220 pounds, PIX11 reports. The harrowing events unfolded beginning with a 27-year-old man being pulled into a vehicle, his belongings taken by force, and the situation escalating to the suspects allegedly entering the victim's residence and stealing the dogs along with other expensive items.
The anxiety among the neighbors reflects a breach of their collective sense of security – luxury buildings do not equate to immunity from the nefarious reach of those with ill intentions. After the initial robbery, the second victim received texts from the now captive 27-year-old, under the guise of friendship, this ruse was likely an attempt by the culprits to ensnare yet another unsuspecting victim into their web. "He said he now believes the suspects were going through the first victim's phone to lure another victim to the car," the owner of the dogs explained to ABC7NY.
The New York Police Department has issued surveillance video evidence, showing one of the victims being forced into the vehicle that suggests, the deliberate and violent strategy employed by these criminals. Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the individuals responsible, or the safe return of Cookie Monster and Pinky, is urged to come forward. "He's had them since they were puppies," the dogs' owner lamented to ABC7NY. Revelations that the dogs might be located in the East New York area offer a glimmer of hope that the community can help in reuniting the pets with their owner.
The NYPD is encouraging anyone with information about the suspects or the whereabouts of the stolen items and the French bulldogs to contact the police.
