Police are on the hunt for a gunman they say held two men at gunpoint inside a Westchester Square store late Monday night, then bolted with cash before officers could arrive. The robbery unfolded just before 11 p.m. at 1472 Saint Peters Ave., where the 45- and 46-year-old victims were confronted and forced to hand over money. Both men escaped without physical injuries, and the suspect took off on foot with an unknown amount of cash, according to News 12.
Investigators said the man was last seen wearing a blue-and-black jacket with black pants as he ran from the scene. Police have not announced any arrests and are asking anyone who was nearby around 11 p.m. to think back on what they might have seen or heard.
Police Ask For Tips
The NYPD is urging anyone with information to come forward through its Crime Stoppers program, per the NYPD. Tipsters can call 1-800-577-TIPS or use Crime Stoppers’ digital channels to share information. Tips can be submitted anonymously and may be eligible for a reward, officials said.
Detectives are also asking residents and business owners in and around Westchester Square to review any surveillance footage from late Monday night and pass along video that might show the suspect before or after the robbery. Investigators are now piecing together witness accounts and nearby security footage in hopes of tracking him down.
Neighborhood Context
Westchester Square has wrestled with similar incidents in recent years, including a prior knifepoint robbery in the area, as reported by News 12. Local merchants have repeatedly raised concerns about late-night safety, and police say community tips and camera footage often make the difference in identifying suspects.
Anyone with information about this case should call NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. If you see a suspected crime in progress, call 911 and do not approach the suspect.
