In the latest incident of a crime spree involving moped-riding bandits, two bar hoppers in Brooklyn were robbed at gunpoint. The victims, a 32-year-old actor and her 29-year-old friend, were walking from Twins Lounge to Ponyboy bar in Greenpoint around 11:20 p.m. on Thursday when they were targeted.
According to sources, a masked man jumped off the back of a moped and brandished a gun, pointing it at the 29-year-old victim’s chest. He demanded the victim’s watch and swiftly snatched the 32-year-old victim’s purse. The assailant then hopped back on the moped, and the driver sped away down Manhattan Avenue near Norman Avenue.
The 32-year-old victim, who preferred to remain anonymous due to safety concerns, stated that the incident was both quick and rattling. Having lived in the area for over seven years, she expressed surprise at feeling unsafe, as she had never experienced such incidents before. She also mentioned that she recognized the accent of the bandits, indicating they might be from her home country, Venezuela.
This robbery follows a series of similar incidents involving moped-riding thieves. Earlier this week, a popular Chinese restaurant in Williamsburg, Birds of a Feather, was stormed by two individuals on mopeds who robbed three diners at gunpoint. In another incident, a Canadian man had his $40,000 Rolex watch snatched in Greenwich Village by a robber who fled on a moped. Additionally, two individuals on mopeds stole a $100,000 watch from a man outside the Manhattan hotspot Carbone.
Although the police stated that the Greenpoint robbery does not appear to be connected to previous moped thefts, the victims believe they were targeted due to the visibility of the expensive watch. The 32-year-old victim recovered her iPhone using the Find my iPhone app, which led her to a bar where the thieves had discarded it. She reported the crime to the police, who informed her that moped-centric robberies were on the rise.
During the investigation, the victim accompanied the police around the neighborhood in search of the robbers. At the station, she sought advice from an officer, asking what he would tell his own children living in the area. The officer’s response was disheartening, as he suggested leaving New York.
1 Response
It is unfortunate to hear about the increasing incidents of moped-riding bandits and the safety concerns they pose. One potential solution to address this issue could be the implementation of community-based safety initiatives.
Local communities can come together and form neighborhood watch groups specifically focused on monitoring and reporting suspicious activities related to moped-riding bandits. These groups can collaborate with local law enforcement agencies to share information and coordinate efforts effectively.
Additionally, raising awareness among bar hoppers and other potential targets about the risks associated