A quiet Fresh Meadows block turned into a crime scene before dawn Thursday when two hooded men allegedly pulled a gun on a 32-year-old man, robbed him of his two-wheeled ride and other belongings, then bolted toward nearby Fresh Meadows Park, police said. The victim was not injured.
What police say
The NYPD said the robbery happened around 3:24 a.m. near 56th Avenue and 111th Street, when two males approached the victim and displayed a firearm before taking his property, according to PIX11. One suspect was reported wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and the other a red hooded sweatshirt. Both men then fled on the victim’s two-wheeled device, heading east toward Fresh Meadows Park, as detectives began reviewing nearby surveillance video for leads.
Where it happened
The intersection sits within the Fresh Meadows section of northeastern Queens and falls under the NYPD’s 107th Precinct. According to the NYPD, the precinct covers a broad swath of the neighborhood and regularly handles late night street crime throughout the area.
How to report tips
Police are asking anyone with information, including home or dashcam video from around the time of the incident, to contact NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online. NYPD Crime Stoppers also accepts tips by text and on X, and may offer rewards in cases that lead to an arrest.
Two-wheeled robberies have been rising
Across Queens this spring, investigators have warned about a series of grab-and-go thefts where suspects use motorcycles, mopeds or e-bikes to speed away after snatching wallets and other valuables. FOX 5 New York reported in April that police were tracking multiple incidents involving riders who flee on two-wheeled vehicles.
Legal note
Under New York law, displaying what appears to be a firearm during a theft can elevate the charge. Robbery in the first degree is a Class B felony when a firearm is shown, subject to significantly stiffer penalties upon conviction. N.Y. Penal Law § 160.15 lays out the circumstances that increase penalties for robbery.
Anyone who recognizes the suspects or may have seen their route from the scene is urged to contact investigators. Police say they are continuing to canvass the area and review surveillance footage as they work to track down the hooded pair.
