Men Steal Hundreds Of Cigarette Boxes From UWS Duane Reade: NYPD

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — The NYPD is trying to identify three men who have stolen hundreds of boxes of cigarettes from neighborhood Duane Reade stores.

The three-man shoplifting crew first hit Duane Read in February at its store on Amsterdam Avenue and West 59th Street and hit the pharmacy chain again twice in April, police said. During each theft, a man jumps over the counter, lies on the floor and grabs cigarette boxes to stuff inside a bag or a jacket, police said.

During the first theft on Feb.8 a thief was able to stick 20 boxes into his jacket after vaulting the counter at the Duane Reade on Amsterdam Avenue and West 59th Street, police said. The thieves re-visited the store on April 20, this time using a large shopping bag to pilfer 188 boxes of cigarettes from the store, police said.

The most recent theft occurred on April 23 at a Duane Reade on Broadway and West 72nd Street, police said. During that theft the man who jumped over the counter was able to stuff 24 boxes of cigarettes into a sweater before fleeing the store.

Police released photos (seen above) this week of the three suspected thieves.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

Photos by NYPD