Crown Heights Robberies May be Bias Crime (71st & 77th Precinct)

The New York City Police Department's Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating five robberies in the confines of the 71 and 77 Precincts as bias incidents.

The incidents are as follows:

1) On Saturday January 2, 2010 at approximately 1820 hours in front of 1500 President Street, in the confines of the 71 Precinct, a M/W/15 was approached by two male blacks who demanded his money.  The victim ran from the location with no property removed, no injuries were reported.

2) On Saturday January 2, 2010 at approximately 1821 hours in front of 1507 President Street, in the confines of the 71 Precinct, a M/W/27 was approached by two male blacks, one armed with a firearm, who demanded his property.  The suspects fled before any property was removed, no injuries were reported.

3) On Saturday January 2, 2010 at approximately 1835 hours, in the vicinity of Montgomery Street and Albany Avenue, in the confines of the 71 Precinct, a M/W/25 was followed into his building by two male blacks.  As the victim was entering his apartment, one of the suspects pulled out a firearm and the suspects forced their way into his apartment.  The suspects removed an undetermined amount of cash and fled the location, no injuries were reported.

4) On Saturday January 2, 2010 at approximately 2025 hours, at the corner of St. John's Place and Utica Avenue, in the confines of the 77 Precinct, a M/W/35 was approached by two male blacks who demanded his property.  The victim pushed one of the suspects and was then struck on the side face.  The suspects then left the scene.  No firearm was displayed and no property was removed. The victim refused medical attention.

5) On Saturday January 2, 2010 at approximately 2035 hours, in front of 1441 St. John's Place, in the confines of the 77 Precinct, a M/W/35 was approached by two male blacks who grabbed his waistband and started searching his pockets.  A cell phone and cash were removed from the victim.  No firearm was displayed. The victim sustained no injury.

6) On Wednesday January 6, 2010 at approx 1130 hours in the V/O of Montgomery Street and Kingston Ave in the confines of the 71 Pct two M/B's armed with a handgun attempted to gain entry into the victim's (F/42) apartment. The perps fled the location without gaining entry.

Perp #1 is described as M/B 18-20 approx 6'0 tall

Perp#2 is described as M/B 18-20 approx 5'8 tall

See Sketch of perp # 2 and Video

Anyone with information regarding any of these incidents is asked to call the New York City Police Department's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.

Citizens can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers web site at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or texting their tips to 274637 (crimes) then enter TIP577.