Police are trying to identify a man they suspect took part in a string of gunpoint robberies across Bensonhurst and Gravesend this month.
Investigators believe the following robberies are connected:
• On Jan. 4 at around 11:55 pm, on New Utrecht Ave. near 77th Street, the suspect approached a man, showed him his handgun, and demanded money. The victim then gave up his backpack, which had $100 in it, and the perp fled in an unknown direction
• On Jan. 4 also around 11:55 pm, near New Utrecht and 77th Street, the suspect approached a man in front of a house, and asked him for change for a $5 bill. He then again drew his handgun and demanded money, and took $4 off the victim before fleeing on New Utrecht Avenue towards 78th street.
• On Jan. 5 at around 12:30 am, near 78th Street and 19th Avenue, three men, including the man police are searching for, got into a taxi, which drove them to Avenue V and W. 13th Street, where the suspect pulled out his handgun and demanded the driver’s money. A second man then took the driver’s cellphone before they all fled towards the Marlboro Houses on 86th Street.
• On Jan. 5 at around 2:58 am, near 86th Street and W. 7th Street, the suspect went up to a man, showed him his handgun and asked for money. The victim refused, and the two had a brief struggle before the victim ran off.
• On Jan. 5 at around 3 am, on 86th Street and W. 8th Street, the suspect approached a man and asked him for change for a $10 bill. When the victim said he didn’t have any change, the suspect again took out his hand gun and demanded money. He took $320 off the victim, and then fled on 86th Street towards W. 9th Street.
Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
