Gunmen Swipe Smokes

Though they couldn’t get into the cash registers, a pair of gun-toting bandits swiped cigarettes and personal items from workers at a drug store in Ozone Park during a holdup last Tuesday afternoon, July 27, police reported. Law enforcement sources said the two culprits—described as African- American males armed with a handgun and a rifle—robbed the Duane Reade pharmacy located at 103-09 Liberty Ave.

One of the suspects was described by police as standing at 5’9” tall, weighing 160 pounds and was last observed wearing sunglasses, darkcolored clothing and a baseball cap while carrying a silver handgun.

The other perpetrator reportedly measures at 6’1”-tall, weighs 220 lbs. and was last observed wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt and armed with a dark-colored rifle.

According to law enforcement sources, the trouble began at around 12:15 p.m. when the two gunmen entered the pharmacy, confronted workers behind the cashier’s counter and demanded money. After making their demands, the suspects reportedly ordered the workers to lie on the floor.

Police said the robber with the handgun removed undisclosed property from two female victims. The rifleman reportedly took an unknown number of cigarette packs after failing to open the cash registers.

Moments later, authorities noted, the bandits walked out of the front entrance to the pharmacy and were last observed fleeing on foot west- bound along Liberty Avenue.

Officers from the 106th Precinct responded to the scene. No shots were fired and no injuries were reported.

Various police units canvassed the surrounding area for the suspects and evidence. Despite their efforts, police noted, no immediate arrests were made.

The case was presented to the 106th Precinct Detective Squad for further investigation, police said.

Anyone with any information regarding the holdup that could prove helpful is asked to call the 106th Precinct Detective Squad at 1-718- 845-2260; all calls will be kept confidential.