Smile Genius

Criminal Masterminds Caught on Tape Using Stolen Credit Card 20 Minutes After Breaking into Car

Violent Purse Snatchers Sought

Shooting in Riverdale,

Smash-n-Grab on Gun Hill Rd.

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, AUGUST 15- Cops are asking for the public’s help to stop a Riverdale stickup artist and a Gun Hill Road smash and grab thief. The later was caught on tape using the stolen credit card 20 minutes after the break in. 

At around 2:30 a.m. on August 14, a woman was robbed at gunpoint in Riverdale. Cops say the 28-year-old was walking north on Broadway, in the vicinity of West 261 Street when a man approached displaying a handgun and demanded her purse. When the woman refused the thief opened fire. The gunman fired once in the air and a second time at the victim. The thief scooped up the purse and fled on foot. The victim was not injured.

The gunman is described as a 30-year-old Hispanic male who is 5 foot 9.

In an unrelated case, cops say a purse was stolen when thieves broke into a car parked in a Rite Aid Parking lot. At around 11:45 p.m. on August 7, cops say the thief broke the window of a car parked in the store’s parking lot at 901 Gun Hill Road. The thief made off with the victim’s purse which was inside the vehicle.

Twenty minutes later cops were able to get a photo of the suspects who used the stolen credit card at a local grocery store. Surveillance video captured the pair entering the store and making the purchase. 

Anyone with information should call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS. 

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.

All calls are strictly confidential.