By Thomas TracyUp in smoke
Two boneheads swiped $63,000 from a Ralph Avenue businessman during a daring midday robbery, but ended up getting pinched a short time later after they used some of their ill-gotten gains to buy pot.
Police said the two men jumped their victim between Foster and Farragut roads at 1:10 pm, pistol-whipping the older man in an attempt to get the victim’s bag that contained the cash.
The victim tried to fight back, but ended up injuring his finger and hip during the struggle, police said.
The thieves fled, probably thinking they were home free.
The two were arrested 40 minutes later when they were sitting in their car near the corner of E. 59th Street and Flatlands Avenue and cops noticed a large amount of marijuana sticking out of their center console.
Taxi terror
An 18-year-old thug was arrested on Oct. 30 after he car-jacked a taxicab on Ralph Avenue.
The cabbie told police that he picked the teen up near Snyder Avenue in East Flatbush. He was in the process of taking the young man to E. 108th Street and Farragut Road in Canarsie when the thief began banging on the Plexi-glass partition, claiming to have a gun.
Frightened, the cabbie pulled over and got out of the car.
The thief jumped behind the wheel and sped off, only to be arrested a short time later.
Attacked on E. 17th St.
A heavy-handed brute attacked another man on E. 17th Street on Oct. 28, leaving his victim with a smattering of injuries.
Officials said the 20-year-old thug jumped his victim between Albemarle and Beverly roads, leaving the man with injuries to his hand, knee and shoulders.
The thief snagged his victim’s car keys, but was apprehended before he could find his opponent’s vehicle, officials said.
Nabbed for near-homicide
An East Flatbush couple were arrested this week for a bloody Aug. 4 stabbing on Caton Avenue.
Police said that the 35-year-old suspect jumped his victim near Flatbush Avenue at 4 am, stabbing him in the chest and back. He then ran off to an awaiting car driven by a 26-year-old woman.
The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital with a collapsed lung. Investigators said he remained in the hospital for 10 days as he recovered from his wounds.
Following a four month investigation, cops tracked down and arrested the couple, charging them with attempted murder and hindering prosecution.
Followed and robbed
A gun-toting goon followed a 23-year-old for at least a block on Oct. 18 before swiping her cellphone on Foster Avenue.
The victim was nearing E. 56th Street at 10:15 pm when the goon jumped her.
Black mask attack
A gun-toting masked maniac robbed a 53-year-old man on Oct. 17 on E. 58th Street.
The victim was between Avenue H and Avenue I at 11:50 pm when the suspect grabbed him and flashed his gun.
The thief made off with $360 and some jewelry, police said.
Jewelry swipe
Three thugs jumped a 14-year-old boy on Avenue H on Oct. 15, taking his jewelry.
The victim told police he was nearing Albany Avenue at 4 pm when he was mugged.
Wipe out graffiti
As the ongoing war against graffiti continues, cops are now offering a $500 reward to anyone with information that can lead them to the vandals that mark up the community.
The hefty reward is part of the city’s new push to rid New York of graffiti, one of the leading quality of life complaints brought to police.
Anyone with information about graffiti vandalism in their neighborhood is urged to contact either 311 or 911.
