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Video: Cops Say Teens Are Macing, Punching, Then Robbing Victims
By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 16, 2012
Modified Nov 16, 2012
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By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 16, 2012
Modified Nov 16, 2012
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The police are hoping to find six teens involved in a two incidents where they maced then robbed victims in Queens. The NYPD has released video of the suspected gang—in addition to being violent, it seems they also refuse to obey the city's law against bicycling on the sidewalk:
According to the NYPD, the incidents happened this past weekend within a few hours—on Saturday, at 10:45 p.m. near 84-15 Sutter Avenue and then just over two hours later on Sunday at 1 a.m., by 97-28 81 Street. In the first incident, a 40-year-old man was approached by the group of male and females, with the females spraying him with mace and then the males punching him and taking his property. In the second incident, the teens did the same thing, but with a 20-year-old man.
The police have identified one suspect, Justin Ortiz, 18, (pictured on right) and have descriptions of the other five, including two persons of interest: One is a Hispanic male, 17-20 while the others are a Hispanic female, 16-17, blondish color hair, wearing grey sweatpants, black shirt; and a Hispanic female, 16-17, wearing a jean jacket; a Hispanic female, 16-17, wearing a red and black jacket, blue jeans and riding a bicycle (person of interest); and a Hispanic female, 16-17, wearing a black and grey jacket, blue jeans and tan or yellow boots (person of interest).
Anyone with information in regards to these incidents is asked to call Crime stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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