NYPD Searching for Male and Female Suspects After Hillside Avenue Store Robbery and Assault in Queens 107th Precinct

‘Skeleton’ Shoplifters Beat 71-Year-Old Gas Station Worker

By Staff Reporter 

Queens Voice 

March 5, 2026

QUEENS, NY - Cops are looking for a pair of shoplifters, one dressed like a skeleton, who beat a 71-year-old gas station worker when he tried to stop them from stealing a cell phone charger from the station’s convenience store. 

According to the NYPD, the incident happened Saturday night, February 28, 2026, at approximately 9:00 p.m., inside a commercial establishment located at 138-19 Hillside Avenue in Queens.

Investigators say an unidentified man and woman entered the store together and allegedly removed an iPhone charger before leaving without paying.

As the pair attempted to leave the business, a 71-year-old male confronted them about the stolen merchandise, police said.

What began as a shoplifting incident quickly turned violent.

Authorities report the unidentified male threw a can of Red Bull at the older man, and both suspects punched the 71-year-old victim during the confrontation.

A 31-year-old male was also punched by the male suspect during the incident, according to police.

Emergency medical services responded to the location and treated both victims at the scene.

Police say the 71-year-old victim suffered pain and bruising to his chin, while the 31-year-old victim sustained a laceration to his lip. Neither victim required hospitalization, officials said.

After the assault, the suspects fled the area in a dark-colored Honda Accord, traveling in an unknown direction, according to investigators.

Detectives assigned to the 107th Precinct are continuing to search for the suspects and are reviewing surveillance footage as part of the investigation.

Police described the first individual as a male with a medium complexion who is between the ages of 20 and 25 years old. He has long dark hair worn in a ponytail and was last seen wearing a black sweater, white collared shirt underneath and black pants.

The second suspect is described as a female with a large build who is between the ages of 25 and 20. She was last seen wearing a black coat featuring a skeleton print and black pants.

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.