The NYPD is hoping the public will help them identify a group of suspects wanted for committing three recent smoke shop robberies, two of which were on the UWS.
Advertisement
The first reported robbery took place on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at about 9:30 p.m. at an undisclosed Upper West Side smoke shop. Six unknown individuals entered the store and demanded an employee open the display case, at which point they broke the glass “with a blunt object and fled to parts unknown on west 76th street.” The victim did sustain a small laceration to his arm but refused medical attention. It’s unclear what the suspects got away with.
ALSO READ: Number of Illegal Weed Stores Doubles Since First Survey
On Thursday, Feb. 22 at about 7:40 p.m., the six suspects walked into a Midtown smoke shop called Green Organic Market at 664 Ninth Avenue (at West 46th Street). While a 33-year-old male employee was standing behind the cash register, the intruders “forcibly removed marijuana items” before fleeing to the 53rd Street subway station. One of the suspects was arrested while the remaining five escaped in an unknown direction. No injuries were reported as a result of this incident.
The last reported incident took place on Monday, March 18 at about 9:03 p.m. This time, three suspects walked into Zooties Dispensary at 447 Amsterdam Avenue (between 81st and 82nd streets) “and forcibly removed small cannabis bags.” According to NYPD officials, “The three unknown individuals fled the store but immediately tried to re-enter but was unsuccessful due to the victim [a 22-year-old female employee] locking the door.” No injuries were reported and the suspects fled north on Amsterdam Ave.
Anyone with relevant 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). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or by sending a direct message to @NYPDTips on Twitter.
Before legalization buyers faced substantial risks. Now the risks are all on the people running the illegal weed bodegas. Progress!
My favorite smoke shop put up glass partitions to stop this kind of thing.
So, “One of the suspects was arrested while the remaining five escaped in an unknown direction.” This guy needs to be squeezed hard to identify his fellow crooks. If he refuses, he needs a long prison sentence.
A long sentence for a smash and grab? LOL OK. He has a right to remain silent.
It was not “a” smash and grab. It was a series of violent invasions. No DA or prosecutor will go easy on this guy.
The usual suspects.
You stole my line! Ha. Every time, same people.