Rash Of Bike Thefts From Children Leaves Far Rockaway Neighbors Worried
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Queens neighborhood remained on alert Monday, as police searched for thieves who have repeatedly targeted children and stolen their bicycles.
As CBS2's Ilana Gold reported Tuesday, riding a bicycle near Beach 9th Street in Far Rockaway has turned into a risk for the last few weeks.
"Someone is coming over and pushing our kids off a bike," said neighbor Shoshana Salzberg. "You know… it's just not safe."
Police said that was exactly what happened to a third grader right outside his home in the middle of the afternoon. CBS2 talked with his neighbor across the street.
"Someone came up to him and just took the bicycle literally out of his hands," said neighbor Chaia Frishman.
According to investigators, the same happened to two other children nearby. Investigators said the cases could be linked, and a few suspects might be working together – possibly selling the bicycles or using them for parts.
"They found one moment when no one was there -- no adults -- and they swiped the kid's bicycle so quickly, it was really scary," Frishman said.
The thieves are not just taking bikes out of kids' hands. This month, they have stolen more than a dozen from driveways and porches – both locked and unlocked.
"I was in my house, and then someone told me my bike was stolen -- then I came outside," said Mordechai Goodman, 11.
Mordechai said someone ripped off his bike last Thursday.
"I was very upset," he said. "It was, like, a new bike."
Luckily, Mordechai got his bike back – thanks to alert neighbors.
"All of a sudden, I see this guy jump over that gate and start running," said Adina Hoch.
Neighbors said they spotted at least one of the suspects, and called the citizens' patrol that kept an eye on him and notified authorities. But the man eventually dropped the stolen property and ran away.
"He must have gotten very scared, dropped the bike, ran through the school, jumped over the fence, and came out over here," Hoch said. "He about half a foot away from me."
People who live in the area were worried late Tuesday about their kids getting violated, and want to see the crime stop.
Police have been following leads on possible suspects. They advised everyone to get VIN etchings on bikes, so that if stolen and recovered, police can quickly return bicycles to their owners.
