5 arrested after gunpoint robberies of nearly $100K in jewelry in the Bronx
MOTT HAVEN, Bronx (WABC) -- Five people are under arrest after a string of gunpoint robberies in the Bronx and officials say the youngest suspect is a teenager.
Bronx District Attorney Darrel Clark said Friday that the group is responsible for stealing $100,000 in jewelry in just a seven-week period.
The suspects range in age from 16 to 29 years old.
Clark's office released surveillance video of several of the incidents on Friday, including that one that shows the 16-year-old old boy with a gun in hand, demanding jewelry from a victim while an accomplice waits to get away on a blue moped behind him.
Investigators say these are all alleged gang members who wore masks and jumped out of cars or off of a moped - catching their victims by surprise before stripping them of their valuables.
The string of robberies took place between Sept. 20 and Oct. 6 in various neighborhoods in the Bronx, including Kingsbridge, Mott Haven and Fordham Heights.
The five suspects have been indicted on first-degree robbery, conspiracy, grand larceny and other related charges for the seven gunpoint robberies.
"The defendants-including a 16-year-old boy--allegedly put guns to victims' heads or chests and stole their jewelry in a spree that lasted two weeks," Clark said. "They accosted people of various ages, in different areas of the Bronx, causing fear on our streets. We are fortunate that no one was shot, but these victims' lives were threatened, and some are forever traumatized. No one should have to live that way. My crime victims advocates stand ready to assist them."
It comes as there's a no-questions-asked gun buyback program taking place Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. James Episcopal Church on Jerome Avenue in the Bronx.
In exchange, participants can get a gift card between $25 and $500 in addition to a free iPad, Apple Watch or other free electronics.
