Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Armed Robbers Go on Late-Night Spree in East River Park, Police Say

By Lisha Arino | August 22, 2014 2:16pm
Robbery Suspects Enter McDonald's
View Full Caption
NYPD

LOWER EAST SIDE — An armed group went on a violent late-night robbery spree in East River Park this week — and then used one of the victims' credit cards at a nearby McDonald's, NYPD said.

The two men and two women started by assaulting a 29-year-old man who was walking near Cherry and Rutgers streets at 11:45 p.m. on Aug. 20, police said.

The group punched the victim, knocking him to the ground, and stole his gold bracelet and $40 in cash. The victim was left with a cut lip, police said. 

The suspects, who police said were 18 to 20 years old, struck again at 1:15 a.m., when they approached a 34-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman who were sitting on a bench in East River Park, police said.

The two young women first pointed a gun at the female victim, demanding her purse, and then the two young men put a gun to the male victim's head, police said. The group fled with the purse and items from the male victim's pocket.

A few minutes later, the group approached an 18-year-old man who was walking in the park, pointed a gun at him and punched him, police said. They took his watch and $10 and fled. The victim was left with cuts on his head and chin.

Just 10 minutes after the final robbery, the suspects walked into a nearby McDonald's and bought food with the female victim's credit card, police said.

Anyone with information about the robberies is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).