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A mysterious group of thieves have been ripping off small business owners new york city – Videos show ATMs being pulled out of the ground using trucks and drag chains, or being carried out of stores by hand.
At least 49 businesses have been robbed so far during the spree, according to the United Brewers of America (UBA) trade group, which is offering a $5,000 reward for the capture of the robbers. Bodega is often used as a term for a convenience store or small grocery store in a city.
The New York City Police Department said investigators believe the thieves were a three-person gang who used stolen cars to commit the crimes, and reports have been filed in at least 25 of the city’s 78 precincts.
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Two thieves dragged an ATM out of a New York City small business. The New York Police Department is looking for three suspects in connection with at least 49 similar burglaries. (NYPD)
Radhames Rodriguez, the group’s president, told Fox News Digital that authorities need to return to comprehensive prosecutions of low-level crimes and criticized the NYPD’s newly announced pursuit policy, which bans officers from chasing nonviolent and more serious crimes. Suspects of low-level crimes.
“While we understand the need for balance in law enforcement, limiting pursuits to suspects involved in violent felonies and misdemeanors sends a dangerous message to criminals who commit low-level crimes,” he told Fox News Digital. “These So-called ‘petty crime’ is often a breeding ground for more serious crime, creating a sense of lawlessness and impunity.”
While the city has taken steps to combat rising crime rates, business owners view the new pursuit policy as a step backwards.
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Thieves ripped open the side of a New York City store and stole an ATM machine from inside. The New York Police Department is searching for three suspects in connection with 49 similar crimes that also involved stolen vehicles. (University at Buffalo)
“Accountability needs to be held at all levels of criminal activity,” UBA spokesman Fernando Mateo told Fox News Digital. “Low-level crime cannot be dismissed as irrelevant because it escalates. Today it’s shoplifting, tomorrow it’s shoplifting.” It’s armed robbery.”
new york city chief of police Jessica Tisch said Wednesday that new vehicle pursuit guidelines will minimize the risk of collateral damage.
According to the NYPD, 25% of car chases in 2024 will result in a collision, property damage, or injury. Two-thirds of them began with traffic stops where the suspects fled. In this case, officers are no longer allowed to pursue.
The new rules limit police to car chases only for serious crimes (felonies and violent misdemeanors).
“The NYPD’s law enforcement efforts must never put the public or officers at undue risk, and pursuits of violations and low-level crimes can be both potentially dangerous and unnecessary,” Tisch said in a statement. “Modern policing “Advanced tools make it possible to apprehend criminals more safely and efficiently than ever before, making many pursuits unnecessary.”
New York group robs 49 stores across city, steals ATMs, cash: police
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tish hold a press conference on December 19, 2024 in New York City. (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)
ATM thieves are still on the loose.
Joseph Giacalone, a former NYPD officer and professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, said the new guidance doesn’t actually result in a major shift.
“The policy has always been this – patrol supervisors can call off any vehicle pursuit based on certain factors that are written in the patrol guidelines,” he told Fox News Digital. “She put it out there to let everyone know — it’s already there, but to finally tighten it up, the New York City Council is going to blanket Chicago and ban all pursuits, including pursuits on foot. It’s just a matter of time.”
While attitudes across the U.S. appear to be beginning to shift toward a tough-on-crime approach, he warned that some Blue City leaders are not yet on board.
On October 24, 2022, an NYPD vehicle appeared in Times Square, New York. (Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“Perceptions about what people want police to do in America may change as the vote goes on, but these cities are firmly in the hands of defenders of the police and abolitionists,” he said.
Despite criticism over the announcement of its pursuit policy, the NYPD made another major change this week – increasing patrols of nighttime subway cars, just days after the chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority told residents that traffic crimes were just days away . in their minds.
“The New York Police Department will launch an ambitious plan to phase in two officers on every night train,” the department announced Thursday. “The first phase will officially begin on Monday, with the first 100 officers involved. Additional phases will be rolled out over the coming weeks, with full operations expected to be completed by the end of this month.”
Surveillance video released by police showed two suspects dragging an ATM out of a store. UBA also shared video showing them knocking down a wall using chains attached to the back of a van before stealing another.
Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the thieves.
An NYPD spokesperson told Fox News: “According to police reports, from Thursday, September 19, 2024, to Thursday, December 26, 2024, there were a total of 49 incidents involving three unknown individuals removing vehicles and license plates. .”digital. “The individuals then used these stolen vehicles to travel to the commercial premises, force entry and take the ATM and other property. The individuals fled the location in various vehicles.”
