A flat tire. Dropped cash. In instances like these, the NYPD says a staff of seemingly good Samaritans steps in to assist, however with evil intentions — because the crime begins with a smile, and ends with a rip-off.
Within the choreographed scheme, a sufferer who simply withdrew money from a Queens financial institution was stopped in her automobile at an intersection. That is when a person will be seen on digital camera utilizing a software to puncture her rear tire whereas the automobile’s in movement.
When the tire goes flat, one other individual pretends to assist the motive force — however as a substitute, distracts her whereas one other thief allegedly grabs cash from contained in the automobile.
“They’re throwing darts right where they want to hit bullseye or most likely to hit bullseye. They’re going into areas with an influx of jewelry stores. What they’re looking for is any vehicle, whether it’s a UPS vehicle or a personal vehicle,” mentioned NYPD Assistant Chief Jason Savino. “With this pattern this face comes with a promise. It comes with a rouse. It comes with a smile and that’s our concern. When you look at these individuals they come to assist.”
The staff was seen pulling off the identical rip-off however in a distinct location. In Manhattan, a lady was seen on video dropping money close to a UPS truck.
That is when, in line with Savino, she asks the motive force for assist. As that driver moved to assist choose up the money, her associate sneaks into the again of the truck.
“And the packages are gone,” Savino advised NBC New York.
Detectives are actively looking for the person and girl concerned. The alleged ringleader has been arrested, however he is out on bail and suspected of nonetheless orchestrating the rip-off.
“We actually made an arrest on a male, 39, Brian Avila. And this individual we feel is orchestrating these incidents. This individual has been arrested eight times since May of 2024,” Savino mentioned. “This plays to the recidivism we are talking about. Eight arrests in the matter of seven months, all felonies. All for the same thing and he’s out and about on the streets right now.”
Police mentioned they’ll hyperlink the staff to no less than three incidents, making off with an eye-popping amount of cash.
“Just shy of a half-million dollars taken. And once again, they like the good stuff: the Rolexes, the Audemars Piguet [watches], the Tiffany jewelry,” mentioned Savino.
A money reward is being supplied for any info resulting in the arrest of the alleged scammers.
