The NYPD says a moped-riding robbery crew has been zipping through parts of the Bronx and northeast Queens, stripping victims of jewelry and, in one case, an electric bicycle. On Wednesday, police released surveillance stills of two people wanted in connection with the pattern and asked New Yorkers to hang on to any doorbell or cellphone footage that might help crack the case.
What Police Say Is Going On
In a bulletin shared on X, NYPD Crime Stoppers said detectives have tied four robberies to the same pattern, all between March 31 and April 9. The incidents fall inside the 42nd, 50th, 52nd and 109th precincts.
According to police, the pattern includes an assault in which a victim lost a $2,000 electric bicycle, two separate necklace snatchings valued at about $500 and $1,500, and a $4,000 chain grabbed in a street robbery. In each case, officers say suspects took off on mopeds, sometimes riding together in packs of up to six.
Crime Stoppers officials say tipsters whose information leads to an arrest and indictment in the case could qualify for a cash reward.
Where The Crew Struck
The robberies cut across several Bronx neighborhoods and one corner of northeast Queens, giving the pattern a cross-borough footprint. The NYPD's 42nd Precinct lists Crotona Park East among the areas it covers, a location that matches details in the bulletin.
Police say the other Bronx incidents fall under the 50th and 52nd precincts, while the Queens robbery is being handled by the 109th Precinct. Detectives are canvassing nearby homes and businesses in all four precincts, looking for security or doorbell camera footage that could help put names to the faces in the released stills.
How The Robbers Operate
Investigators say the suspects rely on a grab-and-go style: one rider gets close enough to snatch a chain or necklace, then the group speeds away before shaken victims can react. In one March 31 robbery, police say as many as six people rolled up on mopeds.
Victims identified in the bulletin include a 16-year-old girl and men in their 40s, suggesting the crew is not targeting one specific age group. The speed and coordination involved, police say, make quick access to doorbell or phone video crucial for identifying suspects.
Neighbors and local reporters have flagged growing unease over similarly fast-moving thefts in recent months, a trend captured in coverage of moped-enabled thefts in other parts of the city.
How To Help Investigators
Police are asking anyone with information or video to preserve the files and reach out to Crime Stoppers. Tips can be submitted anonymously by phone, online or via mobile app. The city says callers whose information leads to an arrest and indictment may be eligible for up to $3,500.
Tipsters can also DM @NYPDTips on X with clear images or video so detectives can follow up. To share information by phone, call 1-800-577-TIPS. For online submissions, visit NYPD Crime Stoppers.
