Armed Bandits Take Aim At Their Victims

Robbery bids made by separate gun-toting crooks in South Ozone Park last Friday night, Nov. 14 and into the following morning ended with mixed results, police reported, as one of the victims got away unscathed while another was shot by a suspect.

Law enforcement sources said a 32-year-old man resisted an armed robber's demands during a holdup in front of a 117th Street home last Friday night and fled unharmed after the crook opened fire on him.

Several hours later, authorities noted, a 27-year-old man held up at the corner of 121st Street and Sutter Avenue was not so lucky as one of two bandits involved in the caper shot him in the left leg. Another man robbed at the same location by the pair of suspects was not injured, police said.

Regarding Friday's attempted robbery, law enforcement sources said the incident occurred at around 10:35 p.m. in front of a home on 117th Street near 149th Avenue.

According to police, the 32-yearold male victim was walking toward his residence when he was approached by the suspect—identified as a Hispanic or African- American male believed to be 30 years old—at the entrance to the driveway.

Displaying a black handgun, it was reported, the crook demanded the man's chain. Despite orders from the suspect to stop, authorities said, the victim walked into the backyard and then fled the area.

Reportedly, the bandit then fired one shot at the victim, which missed its intended target. Police said the perpetrator was observed entering a silver minivan, occupied by an unidentified male, that fled from the scene northbound on 117th Street.

Members of the 106th Precinct responded to the scene. No injuries were reported.

Various officers conducted a canvass of the surrounding area for the suspect; despite their efforts, it was noted, no immediate arrests were made.

Saturday's robbery occurred at around 3:40 a.m. at the intersection of 121st Street and Sutter Avenue, law enforcement sources said.

According to police, both males victims—ages 27 and 28, respectively— were approached at the location by a pair of suspects described as African-American males between 17 and 20 years of age. Both perpetrators reportedly removed property from the victims.

One of the suspects—described as having long braided hair and wearing a black baseball cap, a white polo shirt and jeans—allegedly brandished a silver handgun and shot the 27-year-old male in the left arm.

Following the gunfire, authorities said, both the shooter and his accomplice fled from the scene on Sutter Avenue before turning north onto 122nd Street.

Officers from the 106th Precinct responded to the intersection along with EMS units. The shooting victim was transported to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for treatment of injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

During a search of the immediate area for the suspects, police noted, the officers located the accomplice in the robbery at the intersection of 133rd Avenue and 118th Street. The suspect, whose identity was not disclosed by police, was charged with robbery.

The shooter in the case remains at large as of press time, police reported.

Both cases are being investigated by the 106th Precinct Detective Squad, police said.

Anyone with any information regarding either incident that could prove helpful is asked to call the 106th Precinct Detective Squad at 1-718-845-2260; all calls will be kept confidential.