Photos Courtesy of NYPD
The suspect has struck at least twice this month, and each time he has fled the scene in a red SUV.
By Michael V. Cusenza
The City Police Department on Friday reached out to the public for help in locating an unidentified man wanted in connection with two recent separate incidents in which he ripped chains off the necks of two victims in broad daylight in South Ozone Park.
According to police reports, the suspect approached the first victim on Sunday, Sept. 3, around 4:40 p.m., on 125th Street near 109th Avenue, snatched his neck chain – valued at $350 – from behind, then fled on foot northbound on 125th Street. At 103rd Avenue, cops said, he entered a red SUV, which was driven by another unidentified individual, and continued to flee.
And last Wednesday, Sept. 6, at approximately 12:50 p.m., the victim was standing in front of a deli on the corner of 111th Avenue and 123rd Street when the suspect approached him from behind, ripped three chains – collectively valued at $2,500 – off his neck and fled on foot westbound on 111th Avenue to 122nd Street, where he entered the red SUV, which was driven by another unidentified individual, and continued to flee, cops said.
The chain snatcher is a black man who wore sunglasses, a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark pants during the attacks.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, (888) 57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit info by logging onto NYPDCrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All correspondences are strictly confidential.
