Police Search For Suspects In Two Local Armed Robberies Connected To Citywide Spree

Mary Bakija -
Image courtesy NYPD

Police are after two suspects who held up a couple of local businesses at gunpoint last month, in what they believe is a string of armed robberies the pair has committed around the city.

The two incidents in our area occurred on the same night, Tuesday, April 14, just 20 minutes apart. Police say that at about 8:20pm, the suspects first hit the Cohen’s Fashion Optional at 278 7th Avenue near 6th Street, where they demanded money with guns drawn. They got away with $1,500 and 15 pairs of designer eyeglass frames worth approximately $6,000 before apparently heading south, because at 8:45pm, they held up Windsor Wine Merchants on Prospect Park West near 16th Street. There they also drew guns and pressed an employee for cash, ultimately fleeing with $1,450 from the register.

The two robberies, as were first reported by DNAinfo, inspired the 72nd Precinct to hold a meeting earlier this week showing local businesses how to better secure their shops.

Images courtesy NYPD

Cops say the suspects are connected to five other armed robberies that took place across the city in April. It started with a pharmacy hold-up in the Bronx on April 4, followed by the two in our area, then two more on April 16 at a cell phone store and then shortly after at a pharmacy, both on the Upper East Side, and then most recently on April 24 at a pharmacy in Bed-Stuy and then hours later at a liquor store on the Upper East Side.

https://youtu.be/op2nQBnZ_r4

In total police say they’ve stolen more than $4,500 in cash, plus those glasses, numerous prescription drugs, and lotto tickets.

Police describe the suspects as two black men in their mid- to late-30s, both about 6′ feet tall. Videos and photos shown here were provided by police from surveillance equipment at some of the businesses that were hit.

Anyone with information in regards to these incidents is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or by texting tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and then entering TIP577. Police say all calls are confidential.