Hunt Bogus Guard In $15G Heist
Detectives at the 114th Precinct Squad are seeking help from the public to locate and identify a crook that disguised himself as an armored truck guard and swiped almost $15,000 in cash from an Astoria check cashing establishment.
Cops said the phony guard walked into Lorenzo’s Enterprises on 31st Street in Astoria at about 10:15 a.m. on July 22 in a Gardia Armored guard uniform and announced he was there to make a pickup.
An unsuspecting employee handed over $14,800 in cash to the thief, who casually walked out of the establishment, police said.
The employees never suspected a thing until the real Gardia guard arrived a few hours later to pick up the cash. A secretary at Lorenzo’s then called 911 to alert police of the holdup.
The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his early 30s. Police sources said investigators are trying to determine if the suspect is a former employee or if he has other ties to the armored car service.
Anyone with information is urged to call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS or click on www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.