SOUNDVIEW — The armored car robbery that led to a shoot out between a security guard and a well-dressed bandit is similar to a heist carried out earlier this month just blocks away, NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said.
On Tuesday, the dapper thief, who had been waiting for a money courier outside EG Money Service, made off with more than $78,000 after approaching a Rapid Armor Corp. worker from behind and holding a gun to his neck outside 1471 Westchester Ave, Boyce said Wednesday.
The bandit, who was dressed in a black suit and tie, ran down Westchester Avenue, as the guard fired four shots, police said. The suspect returned fire, squeezing off 10 rounds before hopping in a 2009 maroon Honda, the chief said.
“He’s fairly well dressed,” Boyce said. “Usually, we don’t get this from a robber, but he’s got a shirt and tie on.” No one was injured, which “is a holiday miracle,” he said.
There are possibly up to three suspects as someone else was likely driving the getaway car, according to the chief.
The stickup has similarities to a Dec. 4 robbery, in which two men stole less than $1,000 worth of coins from an armored van in front of 1536 Westchester Ave., police said.
The thieves, described as men in their 20s, approached a Loomis Armored Car Corp. worker from behind, police said. Pointing a gun, one man grabbed the worker by the neck and put him in a chokehold while the other snatched two bags of coins, police said. The suspects then fled on foot.
Police said they did not have information about what those suspects were wearing. But Tuesday’s dapper bandit is one for the books.
