Police seek bump-and-carjack robbery crew
NEW YORK - Police need help identifying a crew of carjackers who lure their victims by triggering an accident, only to rob them at gunpoint.
In the last month, they've struck at least four times citywide.
As CBS2's Christina Fan reports, the carjacking scheme plays out the same way every time.
Video shows a black sedan deliberately rear-ending a gray BMW. When the victim walks out to exchange information, the armed suspects pull out a gun and drive off in both cars.
This most recent case happening on Atlantic Avenue and Hendrix Street.
"I'm overwhelmed with all of this crime, everything. It's just so crazy. I mean, there is always something new they are trying to do," said Brooklyn resident Janice Flores.
"Going out at certain hours at night is just too dangerous these days," said Brooklyn resident Luis Rodriguez.
Police say the crew is responsible for four carjackings in October, spread across Brooklyn and Queens. Three of them happened in the early morning hours.
In two cases, the suspects threatened victims with a firearm. In the other two, they punched and kicked the drivers, landing one of them in the hospital with lacerations.
Sources say suspects are resorting to carjacking because late-model luxury vehicles can't be hot-wired and need a key fob to operate. Valuable cars are often sold overseas. Others are used in crimes, then dumped.
"I think after what you are telling me, people doing this, I would just stay in my car if I got hit," said Brooklyn resident Justin Mitchell.
Security experts say that's exactly what you should do in a situation with no bystanders.
- Do not get out of the car. Lock your doors.
- Call 9-1-1 or a family member to be a witness.
- If the situation escalates before help arrives, it always safest to just drive away.
"Getting anybody on video is good, but do not ever upset the perpetrators, do not provoke them. So if you come out with a video in your hand, that's not provocative," said personal security expert Doron Kempel.
Witnesses say at least three men are involved in the carjacking scheme.
The incidents took place:
- Oct. 15, 4:50 a.m. at 194th Street and 112 Avenue
- Oct. 19, 2:15 a.m., 31-21 Linden Place
- Oct. 21, 2:30 a.m., 1159 Elton Street. In this incident, the victim was hospitalized.
- Oct. 27, 12:30 p.m., Atlantic Avenue and Hendrix Street
Anyone with any information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.