The New York City Police Department is searching for a group of suspects accused of targeting teenagers in a series of robberies across South Brooklyn.
Police say the pattern spans the 60th, 61st, 62nd and 68th precincts, including neighborhoods such as Manhattan Beach, Bensonhurst and Bay Ridge.
In the most recent case, investigators say four suspects approached a 16-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy near Ocean Avenue and Oriental Boulevard in Manhattan Beach on Feb. 21 at approximately 2:55 p.m. One suspect allegedly pushed the 16-year-old off his e-bike and forcibly removed a Nike backpack belonging to the 14-year-old. The group rode away on the stolen motorized scooter.
A Brooklyn man who witnessed the incident recorded video while following the suspects. The man, who asked not to be identified, can be heard confronting them, yelling, “Why are you robbing people?”
The witness told News 12 he was driving on Oriental Boulevard shortly before 3 p.m. when he noticed a group of teens on one side of the street and several individuals wearing ski masks on mopeds across from them. Moments later, he saw that two teenagers had been punched and robbed of a scooter and backpack.
Video shows the suspects crashing their mopeds during the pursuit. After the crash, the witness can be heard shouting, “That’s what the [expletive] you get!”
The man said he attempted to intervene and used pepper spray, but the suspects ultimately got away.
The mother of one of the 14-year-old victims, who also requested anonymity, said she is hoping police make arrests soon.
“I’m glad he caught it on camera and the videos were passed over to the police department, who actually will take care of the business,” she said. “I’m thinking we need to have a neighborhood watch. However, we have a police department to do that job. We can’t rely on parents of the neighborhood chasing thugs.”
She said her son felt intimidated by the large group despite being trained in self-defense.
“He was intimidated by the group of 20 people,” she said. “He had to be smart and not retaliate when he was attacked. It makes me upset that they target those who are smaller — just two or three boys versus 20.”
Police say the group may be responsible for at least three additional robberies:
- Feb. 10 (62nd Precinct): A 19-year-old man was approached near 17th Avenue and 65th Street. One suspect was wielding a machete and stole a motorized scooter.
- Feb. 13 (68th Precinct): Four suspects allegedly approached a 16-year-old near Ridge Boulevard and 86th Street and attempted to forcibly remove his jacket before riding away on scooters.
- Feb. 16 (60th Precinct): Five suspects allegedly approached two 13-year-olds near 231 Neptune Ave. One victim was punched in the face, and a knife was shown before the suspects stole both jackets.
There were no serious injuries reported in the incidents.
Police describe the suspects as males approximately 16 to 18 years old with light complexions.
Neighbor Herbert Gecht said the crimes are unsettling.
“This is unbelievable. It’s scary,” Gecht said. “I hope they catch these kids.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact NYPD Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.