The NYPD is searching for a group of five men who broke into a Queens apartment earlier this month, threatened a 60-year-old woman at gunpoint, and absconded with $90,000 in savings from a locked filing cabinet. The family was reportedly saving up to buy a home.
According to the NYPD, all five men "forcibly entered" the Corona apartment shortly before 5:00 p.m. on July 7th. They proceeded to "display" a handgun, and forced the victim, who has not been identified, to the ground. Police say they broke into a locked filing cabinet inside one of the bedrooms, and took the cash, then fled the scene in a black SUV.
Luz Blanco, the victim's daughter, wasn't home when the break-in happened, but told CBS that the men held a cloth to her mother's mouth, so that she was unable to breath. She added, "Somebody knew [where the money was], because they do everything really fast and they get what they want... now we have nothing." According to Blanco, someone who had recently visited her father at the apartment may have tipped off the suspects.
Blanca's mother suffered minor arm injuries. All five suspects are described as Hispanic men, about 25 years old, and about 6 feet tall.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto Crime Stoppers' website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to CRIMES (274637), then enter TIP577.
