Gunmen Hit Smoke Shop, Flooring Store in Queens

Trio Robs 2 Stores in 15 Minutes

The NYPD is searching for these three men in connection with two robberies in Queens. -Photo by NYPD

By Dan Gesslein

Queens Voice

February 21, 2024

QUEENS - Cops are looking for a trio of stickup men who tried to knock over a smoke shop and then a flooring store all within the space of 15 minutes.

At around 11 pm on February 18, three men were caught on surveillance video walking into a smoke shop at 30-07 39 Avenue. Cops said the three men simulated having guns and tried to gain access to behind the counter. When they couldn’t the trio left empty handed. 

Cops said the same crew struck again 15 minutes later on Roosevelt Avenue. The crew walked into a flooring store and simulated having handguns. They forced their way behind the counter and removed $1,000 from the cash register. The crew then fled on foot.  

No one was injured in either robbery. 

The NYPD released surveillance video of the suspects. The first crew member is described as a male who is 5 foot 10 who has a dark complexion and heavy build. He was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket, a black jacket with a gray hooded sweatshirt underneath, black sweatpants, and white sneakers.  

The second suspect is described as a male who is 5 foot 7 and has a light complexion and heavy build. He was last seen wearing a black jacket with blue lettering on the front, black sweatpants, and blue and white sneakers. 

The third suspect is a male who is 6 feet tall who has a medium complexion and slim build. He was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket, black pants, and white sneakers.

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.