NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Police are searching for multiple suspects in a months-long robbery scheme targeting Uber drivers across New York City.
The NYPD released images and video Thursday of the suspects, who’ve been linked to at least 22 robberies since Nov. 26.
The largest share of the robberies—14—were in Queens. They were reported all across the borough, from Bayside and Flushing to Maspeth and Laurelton.
There were also six robberies across Staten Island—from Port Richmond down to Tottenville—as well as two in Brooklyn, police said.
According to the NYPD, the suspects usually pose as passengers and book a vehicle with a rideshare driver. They then ask to see the driver’s phone to change their destination—or they simply take the phone by force.
After fleeing, they use the stolen device to make fraudulent electronic transactions from the driver's cash account, police said.
One transaction alone—from the iPhone of a 42-year-old driver in East Elmhurst on Dec. 13—amounted to $7,500, while another—from the iPhone of a 44-year-old driver in Arrochar on Jan. 8—amounted to $10,000.
In total, they’ve netted more than $37,500 from the scheme, police said.
Several of the drivers were injured during the robberies, usually after being punched in the head, while another was threatened with a knife, the NYPD said.
In some instances, the suspects stole or destroyed dash cams, but they were nonetheless captured on video that's now being put out by cops.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.