THE BRONX — Police are investigating if the two men accused of shooting a pair of NYPD officers Monday night in the Bronx were behind a string of robberies.
Jason Polanco, 24, was charged with attempted murder of a police officer for allegedly shooting anti-crime officers Andrew Dossi and Aliro Pellerano on East 184th Street and Tiebout Avenue about 10:35 p.m., the NYPD said.
Polanco and Joshua Kemp, 28, were clad in masks when they allegedly robbed Welcome 2 Yemen Deli Grocery on East 180th Street and Webster Avenue before the shooting, police said.
Dossi and Pellerano, who were about to head home after finishing their shifts, responded to a call reporting to the robbery and found Kemp outside a nearby Chinese restaurant.
Kemp then signaled to Polanco, who opened fire, striking Dossi in the left arm and lower back and Pellerano in the chest and left arm, police said.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said Wednesday the pair might be behind several other robberies dating back to four months ago.
“We’re going to see if they fit this pattern,” Boyce said. “This pattern has a lot to do with masked individuals, so right now it’s going to be forensic evidence.”
Both officers were upgraded to stable condition and Pellerano is expected to be released Wednesday afternoon, the NYPD said.
“Their spirits are excellent,” said Dr. Eli Kleinman, the NYPD’s chief surgeon. “They’re conversant and uplifted and very gratified to be improving this quickly.”
