3 Smoke Shops Robbed, 2 Boros, 1 Wrench Wielding Suspect

Smoke Shop Robber Threatens Worker with Wrench in NYC

Police are searching for this man in connection with a string of robberies of smoke shops throughout the Bronx and Manhattan. -Photo by NYPD

By Dan Gesslein 

NYC News Network 

December 1, 2023

NEW YORK - A man wielding a wrench on surveillance video is being sought for three smoke shop robberies in the Bronx and Manhattan, the NYPD said.

The NYPD released surveillance video of the suspect wanted in the robberies of smoke shops in Upper Manhattan, the South Bronx and Pelham Bay in the Bronx. The first case was in the South Bronx back in September. 

At around 11:30 am on September 24, a man walked into a smoke shop at 3007 3rd Avenue and walked up to the 30-year-old employee. The robber simulated having a gun and demanded cash. Cops said the worker fled and hid in the bathroom while the robber broke open the till and took $200 in cash. 

The next robbery took place around 1:30 am on November 13. The robber walked into the smoke shop at 974 Amsterdam Avenue. The suspect walked up to the 26-year-old worker and simulated having a gun. He then pulled wrench out of a bag and hit the employee on the right hand with the metal tool. Cops said the robber then took $500 cash out of the register and jumped into a car and fled. 

The last robbery took place at around 1 pm on November 18 in Pelham Bay. Cops said the suspect walked into the smoke shop at 3645 Bruckner Boulevard and threatened to shoot the 20-year-old employee. He took $200 out of the register and fled the store on foot.  

The suspect is described as a male with a medium complexion, medium build, black hair and facial hair. 

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or on Twitter @NYPDTips. 

All calls are strictly confidential.