String of Jamaica Robberies Targets Women, Cops Say

JAMAICA, NY – A string of robberies has targeted women in Jamaica, Queens, police said. In each of the three incidents, the robbers approached a woman and stole her purse. None of the victims was injured.

The first theft happened on Jan. 17 at 2:20 p.m. at the corner of Highland Avenue and Home Lawn Street. Two men approached a woman from behind and took her pursue from her hand, then fled.

The second incident happened on Jan. 22, at 5:50 p.m. in front of 92-12 175 St.. when a woman, 45, had her wallet taken from her hand. A week later, at 6:40 p.m. in front of 88-11 172nd St., three men approached a 60-year-old woman from behind and forcibly removed her pocketbook, causing her to fall to the ground. She was not injured.

The suspects are described as about 16 or 17 years old and between 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-10. Video footage from before the robbery on Jan. 29 shows the three suspects on Hillside Avenue.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

(Lead image: Photo from Shutterstock)