Chain Snatched - Moped Riding Thieves Target Women

Police are searching for two men on a black moped who snatched chains off women's necks in Queens. -Photo by NYPD

By Dan Gesslein 

Queens Voice 

October 23, 2023

QUEENS - Police are searching for a pair of moped riding chain snatchers who struck twice in one day in Queens. 

At around 4:20 pm on September 14, a 41-year-old woman was walking across the street from 61-50 Central Avenue in Ridgewood. Cops said two men riding on a black moped rode up behind the woman and ripped the chain off her neck. Before the woman even knew what happened, the chain snatchers rode off. 

The woman sustained “substantial pain and bruising” but refused medical attention at the scene. 

Cops said the stolen pendant is valued at $200. 

Two hours later, the same crew struck again but this time they robbed a woman inside a car. 

At around 6:50 pm, a 20-year-old woman was sitting in the driver’s seat of a car parked on the street. 

Cops said the same crew pulled up. One of the robbers got off the scooter and walked up to the car window. The thief reached into the car and ripped the chain off the woman’s neck. He then ran off. 

Cops released surveillance video which showed the suspect run up to his accomplice driving the moped and then hopped on the back of the scooter. 

The victim refused medical attention at the scene. 

Cops said the thieves made off with two gold pendants that are valued at $520. 

The two suspects are described as a male between the ages of 20 and 25. They both have thin builds and were last seen wearing all black clothing.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident 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 CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or on Twitter @NYPDTips. 

All calls are strictly confidential.