A group of young migrants from city-run shelters is allegedly behind a wave of “wolfpack” robberies in Central Park, prompting increased police presence and the upcoming deployment of drones to combat the surge in crime.
A group of young migrants has been identified as the driving force behind a series of “wolfpack” robberies in Central Park, according to the New York Police Department (NYPD).
ABC7 recently reported that migrants from city-run shelters may be responsible for a surge in robberies in the southern end of Central Park. The perpetrators reportedly operate by surrounding their victims in a pack-like manner and robbing them of their belongings.
One of the suspects, an 11-year-old arrested for a subway robbery on Tuesday night, was caught on surveillance video using credit cards stolen from one of the Central Park victims. This incident is part of an eight-robbery pattern.
Two of the three young suspects arrested for a robbery in Central Park’s Grand Army Plaza on Tuesday morning are living in city-run migrant shelters, including one at the Row Hotel. The suspects involved in the Tuesday night mugging of two men in their 20s on a park bench are believed to be around 16 or 17 years old. This incident occurred near West 62nd Street and West Drive around 10:45 p.m.
NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell noted that the thieves are often very young, typically no older than 15. “In the southern part of the park, we see a lot of group robberies, young kids mugging people or taking their property. We believe these are young migrants committing these crimes,” Chell told reporters.
Assistant Chief Jason Savino of the NYPD Detective Bureau added, “Although they’re very young and impressionable, they have a significant influence on this group. It’s something we haven’t seen before.”
Alan Kemp, a food vendor in the city, expressed his growing concern about the park following the rise in robberies. “I can’t afford to get robbed, ripped off, mugged, stabbed,” said Kemp, who is 68. “I heard that people are getting stabbed, and I can’t afford to go through that at my age.”
In response to the situation, the NYPD plans to deploy drones in Central Park by the end of the month to monitor incidents in real-time and track suspects until police arrive. Additionally, 40 extra police officers will be stationed in the park nightly after 7 p.m. until the drones are operational.
“We’re focusing on the areas where these crimes are happening in the southern part of the park, particularly between 7 p.m. and midnight,” Chell said. “We’ll start by placing the 40 extra officers where they’re needed most and adjust as necessary.”
.png)
Comments