Teens Arrested in 6 Smoke Shop Robberies Throughout Manhattan

Two Teens Arrested, More Sought in Smoke Shop Robberies 

The NYPD has made two arrests and is searching for more in connection with a string of smoke shop robberies. -Photo by NYPD

By Dan Gesslein 

Manhattan Voice 

January 24, 2024 

MANHATTAN - Two teenagers were arrested in connection with a string of robberies of smoke shops throughout Greenwich Village, the NYPD said. More suspects are still being sought. 

Police announced the arrest of a 16-year-old male and a 17-year-old male on robbery charges. Both suspects names have not been released because both are minors.

At least two other suspects are being sought by the NYPD. In addition, a sixth case has been added to the list of smoke shop robberies. 

At around 2 pm on January 19, the crew walked into the Grab & Go Smoke Shop on Avenue of the Americas. The group jumped over the counter and stole marijuana products and $2,700 in cash.

The first robbery took place on December 26. At around noon, a 19-year-old employee was working at the Blue Cookie Smoke Shop on the Lower East Side. Cops said a group of males entered the store with hammers, mallets and a handgun. 

The crew forcibly removed a box of marijuana products before fleeing. No injuries were reported.

The crew struck again on January 11. At around 3:40 pm, the crew walked into a smoke shop on the Avenue of the Americas. One of the crew displayed a knife to the 26-year-old worker. They then forcibly removed a box of marijuana products valued at $1,500.

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Cops said the same crew upped the violence during their next robbery. At around 12:30 pm on January 14, the crew walked into Moon Stage Smoke Shop on Lexington Avenue. 

Cops said members of the crew jumped over the counter and punched the 23-year-old worker. They forcibly removed the victim’s cell phone and then ran out of the store.

Hours later the crew struck a smoke shop in the Bronx. At around 7 pm, three members of the crew walked into a smoke shop on Gun Hill Road. 

Members of the crew hopped behind the counter and pushed the 53-year-old worker out of the way. The crooks proceeded to remove $2,000 in cash and $3,000 in store merchandise.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or on Twitter @NYPDTips. 

All calls are strictly confidential.