The police department is asking the public’s help identifying two men wanted for questioning in connection with a series of four robberies in as many days in Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Long Island City, and Mapleton.
The pair first stole a register with about $600 inside from a New Utrecht Avenue gas station on March 31, according to police. The duo entered the station at 16th Avenue just after 3:15 am, and fled with the cashbox on foot down 16th Avenue towards Bay Ridge Parkway.
The following day, police say the pair threatened the employee of a Bath Avenue gas station with a knife and stole about $700 and five packs of cigarettes. Around 9:15 pm, the men entered the station at Bay 31st Street, went behind the counter, flashed a knife, and pushed the employee up against the wall. They then stole the goods and fled on foot on Bay 31st Street towards Benson Avenue.
The next day, the two hit up a grocery store on 31st Street in Long Island City, where they threatened the employee and stole about $300, according to police. The pair entered the shop at 21st Avenue at around 4:30 am, went behind the counter, and threatened to hurt the employee on duty. They then grabbed the cash and fled in a white car on 32nd Street towards 20th Road.
And finally, the next day — April 3 — the men went to a Bay Parkway gas station, punched the employee, and stole the register with about $600 inside, plus eight packs of cigarettes, police said. The duo went behind the counter at the station at McDonald Avenue at around 2:50 am, punched the employee in the head and shoulder, stole the register and the cigs, and fled in a car on McDonald Avenue towards Avenue J.
Police describe both men as about 5-foot-5 and 175 pounds, and they were both last seen wearing all black clothing.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577–8477. The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. All tips are strictly confidential.
