A Parkchester robbery turned frighteningly personal on Wednesday when three people allegedly pulled guns on a 19-year-old, forced him into his own apartment and fled with some of his belongings, police said. Officers quickly moved in, taking three individuals into custody a short time later. The teen was not injured, and as of now, no charges have been filed.
According to News 12 The Bronx, the incident unfolded around 1:30 p.m. near Metropolitan Avenue and Purdy Street. The 19-year-old told investigators the trio approached him, showed guns and forced him back inside his apartment before taking items and leaving the scene.
Where It Happened
Metropolitan Avenue and Purdy Street sit inside the Parkchester development in the southeast Bronx, an area covered by the NYPD's 43rd Precinct. The precinct’s public page notes it patrols Parkchester and nearby commercial stretches along Westchester Avenue, Castle Hill Avenue and White Plains Road, handling neighborhood crime and quality-of-life issues, according to the NYPD.
Police Response And What's Next
Police told News 12 The Bronx that officers took three suspects into custody shortly after the robbery. No charges have been filed so far. The case will head to the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, which will review the investigation and evidence before deciding whether to bring charges, in line with procedures described by the Bronx District Attorney's Office.
How To Help
Anyone with information about the robbery is urged to contact NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or submit an anonymous tip through the department’s Crime Stoppers app or website. The NYPD says tipsters whose information leads to an arrest or indictment may be eligible for a reward, according to the department’s Crime Stoppers guidance.
Neighborhood Context
This corner of Metropolitan and Purdy has surfaced in police reports before. In 2015 two women were robbed at knifepoint in an elevator in a building near the same block, according to CBS New York. Incidents like this often prompt extra patrols in the area while detectives canvass for witnesses and follow up on leads.
