NYPD Seeks Suspect in Grand Larceny Pattern Targeting Elderly Victims in Queens’ 109th Precinct and Brooklyn’s 67th Precinct

‘Grandma’ is a Master Pickpocket - Robs Thousands from Elderly Women

By Staff Reporter

Queens Voice

February 27, 2026

QUEENS, NY - Cops are looking for a woman in her 60s, who they say, robbed thousands from 74+ year olds throughout Queens and Brooklyn. The master pickpocket apparently has no fear of robing women inside apartment and commercial buildings in broad daylight. 

The NYPD is asking for the public’s help identifying a suspect wanted in connection with a pattern of grand larceny incidents in the 67th and 109th Precincts in Queens and Brooklyn. Investigators say the incidents, which took place between late December 2025 and early February 2026, appear to follow a similar method of operation — targeting victims inside commercial establishments and busy corridors.

If you live, work, or shop in these neighborhoods, here’s what you need to know.

Police say the majority of the incidents occurred within the confines of the 109th Precinct in Queens, specifically in the Flushing and Main Street corridors.

Incident on College Point Boulevard – December 22, 2025

According to police, on Monday, December 22, 2025, at approximately 5:10 p.m., a 72-year-old woman was inside a commercial building at 40-24 College Point Boulevard when an unidentified individual allegedly bumped into her inside an elevator and removed her wallet from her pocket.

The suspect then fled in an unknown direction. The stolen wallet was valued at approximately $900. No injuries were reported.

This incident is now part of what authorities are calling a grand larceny pickpocketing pattern targeting elderly victims in Queens commercial buildings.

Incident on 39th Avenue – January 23, 2026

Just over a month later, on Friday, January 23, 2026, at approximately 2:19 p.m., a 74-year-old woman was inside a commercial establishment at 135-38 39 Avenue when an unidentified individual allegedly bumped into her and removed $3,000 from her bag.

Again, the suspect fled in an unknown direction. The victim was not injured.

Investigators believe the suspect may be deliberately targeting older individuals carrying cash inside high-traffic retail and mixed-use buildings as part of a distraction-based theft scheme inside Queens commercial establishments.

Two Incidents on Main Street – February 6, 2026

On Friday, February 6, 2026, two separate incidents were reported just hours apart along Main Street in Queens.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., a 66-year-old woman standing in front of 41-36 Main Street reported that an unidentified individual bumped into her and removed a wallet valued at approximately $100 from her bag.

Later that same day, at approximately 2:14 p.m., an 81-year-old man inside a commercial establishment at 42-70 Main Street reported that an unidentified individual reached into his jacket and removed $10,000 before fleeing.

Police say both incidents are believed to be connected to the ongoing Queens grand larceny pattern involving distraction techniques and close-contact theft.

Similar Theft Reported in Brooklyn’s 67th Precinct

The pattern is not limited to Queens.

On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at approximately 10:45 a.m., a 52-year-old woman inside a commercial establishment at 1444 Nostrand Avenue, within the 67th Precinct in Brooklyn, reported that an unidentified female reached into her bag and removed an envelope containing $3,000.

As in the other incidents, the suspect fled in an unknown direction. No injuries were reported.

Police are investigating whether this Brooklyn incident is connected to the multi-precinct grand larceny pattern involving bag thefts inside NYC businesses.

Anyone with information regarding 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 Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on X @NYPDTips. 

All calls are confidential.