The New York police are looking for an aggressive gang that has robbed at least three stores -two in Brooklyn and one in Manhattan-, using pepper spray as a weapon against employees.
In each robbery, masked robbers entered the store, pepper-sprayed a worker and then stole cash and merchandise, the NYPD said.
NYPD released security camera video showing the apparent first robbery, which occurred shortly after 11 pm May 11 at a store on Coney Island Avenue in Sheepshead Bay , Brooklyn.
The video shows three men walking around the store and then one jumps over the counter while another pepper sprays a woman from 21 Years behind the counter. She tried to escape the robbery, but the robbers grabbed her violently and sprayed her again, the video shows.
The men took about $496 dollars in merchandise. “The victim suffered minor injuries as a result and did not require medical attention at the scene,” the NYPD said.
Police believe this incident is related to two other similar robberies:
The 19 May, two people robbed a store on 7910 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn. One of the individuals discharged pepper spray on an employee of 32 years while the other removed merchandise and approximately $700 dollars from the register.
The 29 May, two men robbed a store in 496 LaGuardia Place, Manhattan. One of the individuals pepper sprayed a 29 year old victim while she was demanding property. The individuals took about $400 dollars from the cash register
No arrests have been made. Anyone with information should call 1-888-577-TIPS (74782) and in Spanish 1-888-57-CLUE (74782). Also through crimestoppers.nypdonline.org or by text message to 274637 (CRIMES), followed by TIP550. All communications are strictly confidential.
NYPD: Robbers using pepper spray on store workershttps://t.co/qp6tN6ILkk—Mike Epling (@michaelevs) June 1, 2022