Child Thief Ring Busted In NYC
Inspector Nicholas Fiore of the NYPD commented, “They appear to be youngsters aged between 8 and 13, who would enter bars and dining establishments with the intent of tampering with secure boxes.” Investigators suspect a familial connection, with two older boys allegedly sending their younger sibling to perform the illicit tasks of tampering with boxes in bars and eateries over the past four months.
Despite their height, which only allowed them to reach just above the bar counter, boys aged 11 to 13 allegedly managed to amass considerable sums of money, estimated by the police to be as much as $10,000 stolen from multiple businesses.
Fiore explained, “Family members were aware of the situation and were absent during late hours.” The Administration for Child Services has become involved but has no plans to arrest or charge the younger boys due to their tender ages, opting instead to file charges against the teenager.
Jacob Rabinowitz, co-owner of one of the targeted bars, advised, “If anyone notices anything suspicious, they should immediately contact the police.”
Due to the media attention generated by this case, the Mayor’s Office requested that the NYPD investigate whether these children were also involved in another scam occurring in popular parks across Manhattan. However, it was determined that they were not.
Sgt. Matt Doherty reported, “We have identified approximately 30 suspects so far.” Investigators from the Organized Theft Task Force found that primarily college-age women had fallen victim to a money transfer app scam, wherein teenage basketball donors would solicit donations. This enterprise had garnered over $125,000 since April, according to investigators.
“One victim entered with $2 but ended up losing $2,600,” recounted Sgt. Doherty, emphasizing the rapidity of the scams, which could be executed within 30 seconds. Doherty warned that sharing phone numbers made individuals vulnerable to such thefts.
Numerous arrests have been made, and numerous individuals have fallen prey to the solicitation scam.
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