Band of "Gypsies" Target Long Islanders

Have the Bronx gypsies made their way over to Long Island? A troupe of thieves disguised as fence contractors is traveling through the North Shore of Nassau County targeting elderly homeowners. Once they get inside they swipe cash, jewelry and anything else worth getting their hands on, according to CBS 2, who spotted two thieves and got a sketch of the ringleader (spoiler alert: sadly he does not look like Johnny Depp's gypsy character in Chocolat). The police—who call the Eastern Europeans "gypsies" because they drive cars with out-of-state plates—say, "These guys are heartless. They are ruthless."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in News on June 9, 2010 10:34 AM

Comments [rss]

Mr. Shankly

I thought the new PC term was 'Roma'.

Ronnie Dobbs

(spoiler alert: sadly he does not like like Johnny Depp's gypsy character in Chocolat).

So he just likes him as a friend?

Peter

An old.home improvement scam is "resurfacing" a driveway by pouring used motor oil on it.

chuzzlewit

"These guys are heartless. They are ruthless. Plus Buddy Miles is all over that shit, really killing it man."

Kelles

Weren't the homeowners suspicious when the phony contractors offered to read their tea leaves or tried to sell them bottles of Dr. Good's Cure-All Elixir?

Splicer

Cops should send a message to the next bunch by roughing them up just a little when they catch them. Just a little.

schadenfreudian mensch

Too bad those Irish "Travelers" beat them to this scam already.

Pachinko

America, the land of opportunity...

l3iodeez

I hate it when those gypsies from Hoboken cut me off in traffic.

Seriously they're called gypsies because the have out of state plates? wtf? Fuck the police.