ICE QUEEN - Heartless Crook Swipes Elderly Man’s Chain
By Staff Reporter
Queens Voice
April 21, 2026
QUEENS, NY - A heartless female crook swiped a chain off an elderly man brazenly as they stood at the front of his Queens home.
According to the NYPD, the incident occurred on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at approximately 12:41 p.m. near the intersection of 84th Street and Dry Harbor Road, within the confines of the 104 Precinct.
Police say a 91-year-old man was standing outside his home when he was approached by an unidentified woman. The suspect engaged the victim in conversation, creating a momentary distraction—an approach often seen in distraction-based thefts targeting elderly homeowners in Queens neighborhoods. As the man turned to go back inside his residence, the situation quickly escalated.
Authorities report that the suspect suddenly snatched a necklace from the victim’s neck before fleeing the scene. The suspect then entered a white SUV and drove off eastbound on Dry Harbor Road.
Despite the alarming nature of the encounter, officials confirmed that the victim was not physically injured. However, the stolen necklace is estimated to be worth approximately $2,000, making this a daytime necklace snatching grand larceny case in Queens.
The individual being sought is described as a female who was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, a multi-colored skirt and white sneakers.
This incident highlights a troubling pattern of distraction theft crimes targeting elderly residents in New York City. Crimes like this often occur in familiar, low-traffic areas where victims may feel safest—such as right outside their own homes.
Local authorities continue to emphasize the importance of situational awareness, especially when approached by strangers engaging in unexpected conversation, a common tactic in elderly-targeted larceny scams in residential areas.
The NYPD is actively investigating and is urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or recognizes the suspect description to come forward. Even small details could help identify the individual and prevent similar incidents tied to Queens grand larceny cases involving senior citizen victims.
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.
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