Two men are on the run after police say they stole a lump sum of around $36,000 worth of jewelry during a gunpoint robbery spree across the Bronx.
The NYPD says two of the three incidents happened in Highbridge and a third in Unionport. The first victim, a 49-year-old man, was pistol-whipped and beaten before the duo snatched four necklaces worth a total of around $20,000.
According to police, the spree spanned nearly a month and followed a similar pattern – stealing jewelry from victims at gunpoint and getting away in a black Mercedes-Benz.
The first robbery happened on May 30 at around 4:45 a.m. when the duo attacked the 49-year-old in front of 1404 Ogden Ave. The NYPD says they struck him in the face with a firearm and punched him throughout his body before snatching the four necklaces. Paramedics took the man to NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln. He is expected to recover, according to police.
Just over two weeks later, the men targeted a 30-year-old man in front of 1134 White Plains Road. Police say they got away with necklaces, rings and a bracelet – a total value of around $10,000.
The NYPD says the third robbery happened on June 22 around 2:30 a.m. The duo stole a 39-year-old man’s necklace worth around $6,000.
According to police, the victims in the second and third incidents were not harmed.
The NYPD released images of the men and the Mercedes-Benz involved.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).