Two individuals disguised as Amazon workers carried out a brazen home invasion in Queens earlier this week, as captured in new NYPD footage released on Tuesday night. The pair, one carrying an Amazon box and the other sporting a bright-yellow vest, were seen casually walking down a quiet Whitestone block before targeting the unsuspecting family.
The incident unfolded when a 43-year-old man answered the door of his single-family home on 12th Avenue near 152nd Street around 7:40 a.m. Monday. The invaders, one armed with a gun, stormed inside and forced the entire family â which included two women, two boys aged 10 and 5, and three kids aged 5, 10, and 18 â into the basement.
Once in the basement, the criminals tied up the victims and placed duct tape over their mouths before proceeding to ransack the home. They made off with approximately $16,000 in cash, jewelry, and electronic devices. The audacious duo then used the victim’s own silver Chrysler minivan as their getaway vehicle, abandoning it two blocks away from the scene.
Eyewitness John Nardone recounted the harrowing scene, mentioning that he saw the father running out of the house with duct tape on his face, indicating that his children were still inside. The father managed to communicate to Nardone the dire situation before authorities were contacted.
The NYPD is actively seeking information to apprehend the robbers responsible for this heinous crime. Anyone with details related to the incident is urged to contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish speakers. Tips can also be submitted online through the Crime Stoppers website or via @NYPDTips on social media platforms.
The shocking nature of this crime highlights the importance of vigilance and community cooperation in combating such criminal acts. The authorities are dedicated to bringing the perpetrators to justice and ensuring the safety and security of all residents.
