NYPD: 2 suspects arrested in gunpoint robbery of Brooklyn bishop, wife during July Sunday service
NEW YORK -- The NYPD announced Wednesday it has arrested two suspects in connection to the brazen robbery of a Brooklyn bishop over the summer.
The gunpoint robbery during a Sunday service in July was caught on video.
Prosecutors say Juwan Anderson and Say-Quan Pollack, both 23, are two of the three suspects involved in the robbery of about $1 million in jewelry from the bishop and his wife, all while the church service was going on. And since the service was being live-streamed at the time, the whole thing was captured on camera, CBS2's Hannah Kliger reported.
Video shows Bishop Lamor Whitehead in the pulpit at the Leaders of Tomorrow International Churches in Canarsie when the men walk in. They brandish guns and bring the service to a halt. Police say the victim doesn't seem to know them.
"If you look, there is a pattern throughout the city throughout the last few years. High-end jewelry robberies being targeted. The pastor live-streams. He has high-end jewelry ... so we suspect it's that," NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig said during a news conference.
Anderson and Pollack are facing charges, including robbery, conspiracy, and possession of a firearm. Defendant Pollack stared down Bishop Whitehead as he walked into the court.
"I'm glad you were there to see the villain that he is," Whitehead said. "It's a win today because the narrative that was posted and presented that I had something to do with this robbery, and it has destroyed my life."
Both defendants pled not guilty, and Kliger did learn that there are plea negotiations taking place. Anderson was released on $50,000 bail, and is facing travel restrictions, supervision, and electronic monitoring. Pollack is being retained for now.
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After the arraignment, Whitehead said this helps to clear his name in the wake of rumors surrounding the robbery.
"This is a win today because the narrative that was posted and has been presented is that I had something to do with this robbery and it has destroyed my life," Whitehead said.
There is a third suspect whose identity police have not released because they are still searching for him. As for the two men arrested, they're scheduled to appear back in court on Oct. 28.