MANHATTAN — The FBI has identified the lone remaining thief on the lam after a $700,000 smash-and-grab Cartier heist earlier this year — and he's part of a violent robbery crew that carried out similar jobs from here to Virginia, they said.
Ralik Hansen, 28, is the last suspect who has not been caught in the midday robbery of the Fifth Avenue Cartier store in January, in which five masked thieves smashed display cases with hammers and made off with 16 watches worth $709,000, according to the FBI and the NYPD.
The FBI called Hansen a member of a "violent interstate robbery crew from Brooklyn" who is being sought in recent similar robberies in New Jersey and Virginia. He has previously been charged with robbery, attempted rape and forcible touching, according to a source familiar with the case.
Hansen and four other thieves struck the Cartier store at 653 Fifth Ave. at 52nd Street about 12:30 p.m. Jan. 30, police said. Four of them were subsequently arrested, including Allen Williams, 35, of Bed-Stuy and Roberto Grant, 33, of Brownsville, who were charged with robbery.
The FBI described Hansen as 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, with a shaved head and scars on his left wrist and left elbow. He often goes by "Rahlik" and "Rah," the FBI said.
The FBI is offering an undisclosed reward for tips leading to an arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 212-384-1000.
