By:Nicole Falco
According to officer Stan Slevinski, a Fifth Precinct crime analyst, in each case two unknown perpetrators wearing ski masks and wielding either a black or silver handgun carried out the robberies. Vehicles possibly connected to the crimes include a silver BMW, a four-door green Toyota and a white Chevrolet Blazer, Slevinski said.
Patrol officers have been advised to check all access roads to Queens immediately after a robbery is reported in Nassau County. Also, the perpetrators have begun to target ATM machine locations, Slevinski said.
On Dec. 14 at about 7:15 p.m., a 33-year-old Valley Stream man, his 30-year-old wife and their young child were robbed at a Valley Stream ATM machine by two suspects who matched the pattern description, Slevinski said. The man had parked his vehicle at Washington Mutual Bank's drive-up ATM machine, at 400 W. Sunrise Highway, and had just withdrawn $20 when he and his family were approached by the suspects. One of them produced a black semi-automatic handgun, demanded the $20 and ordered the man to withdraw more cash, police said. After handing over his ATM card to the suspects, the man did not provide them with the correct pin number. After several unsuccessful attempts to withdraw more money, the suspects fled the scene on foot, police said. No injuries were reported.
The second Valley Stream robbery possibly linked to the pattern occurred Dec. 18 at 1 a.m., police said. According to Slevinski, a 20-year-old Valley Stream man told police that he and a friend had just parked their car on Central Avenue and Stephen Place when they were robbed at gunpoint by two men wearing ski masks. The victims reported that their wallets, cell phones and jewelry were stolen. The victims had also handed over the car keys, but they were able to retrieve them after the suspects fled, Slevinski said. No injuries were reported.
The Elmont robberies occurred between Nov. 23 and Dec. 20. According to police reports, a pedestrian was robbed Nov. 23 at 7:40 p.m. on 117th Road; a pedestrian was robbed Nov. 28 at 8:05 p.m. at the corner of 238th Street and Dutch Broadway; the Blockbuster store on Hempstead Turnpike was robbed Nov. 30 just before midnight; the Eagle Gas Station on Linden Boulevard was robbed Dec. 5 at 6:28 p.m.; a pedestrian was robbed Dec. 14 just after midnight at the corner of Fieldmere and Oak streets; Express Gas on Hempstead Turnpike was robbed Dec. 17 at 3:52 p.m.; and Dunkin' Donuts on Hempstead Turnpike was robbed Dec. 20 at 12:48 a.m. The most recent robbery believed to be linked took place in Franklin Square on Dec. 26, at 8 p.m., when a pedestrian was robbed on Hempstead Turnpike.
Anyone with information regarding the robbery pattern is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.
Comments about this story? NFalco@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 208.
