Police on Thursday released images of three people they are looking to identify in a fast-moving string of Bronx street robberies that singled out teenagers on Feb. 2. Detectives say the crew flashed what appeared to be weapons, then muscled kids out of jackets, a wallet and jewelry in quick daytime confrontations that left victims shaken. Investigators say they are counting on publicity and neighborhood video footage to help track the group down.
According to NYPD Crime Stoppers, the pattern involves three incidents reported in the 46th and 52nd precincts on Feb. 2. In the mid-afternoon, two teenage boys were pushed to the ground and robbed of a jacket and a wallet. Later, a 13-year-old girl reported that a chain was forcibly yanked from her neck near East Kingsbridge Road and West 192nd Street. Around 4:45 p.m., a 14-year-old boy was allegedly pressured into handing over a jacket in the Sedgwick Avenue area.
The department’s post puts the haul at roughly $1,000 for the first robbery, about $100 for the chain and around $370 for the final jacket. Police say the suspects took off on foot, scattering in different directions after each incident.
Precinct Alerts Point To A Broader Trend
Recent precinct advisories and local reports have flagged a run of robberies that zero in on high-end jackets, jewelry and bags around the borough, prompting extra patrols and public safety reminders. Coverage of recent warnings urges residents to keep pricey gear out of sight when possible and to hang on to any door-cam or phone footage that might give detectives a clearer look at who is working the streets.
How To Help
Anyone with video, photos or information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS, use the Spanish line at 1-888-57-PISTA, or send a tip through the online Crime Stoppers portal. Police say rewards of up to $3,500 may be available. Tipsters are urged to keep original file names and timestamps on any footage and to reference the department’s post so detectives can quickly match new leads with the already released images, according to NYPD Crime Stoppers.
Safety Steps For Locals
Precincts are reminding residents to keep bags zipped, carry valuables in front of the body, and turn headphone volume down while walking through busy corridors and subway stations. That kind of basic situational awareness, echoed in local reporting on similar cases, can make it harder for would-be robbers to zero in on an easy target.
Neighbors who have building or doorbell camera footage from Feb. 2 are being urged to scroll back through their recordings and share any useful clips with investigators or Crime Stoppers. Police say even a few seconds of clear video could help close in on the trio.
