New York City moped gang arrested amid 29-chain theft spree

A 17‑year‑old male was taken into custody by the NYPD for his role in a series of 29 robberies that spanned from June 15 to July 10 across Queens and Brooklyn. The victims, mostly men but also a woman, had chains stolen while the perpetrators rode mopeds; ages of victims ranged from 14 to 80. In six of the robberies the teen and an accomplice stole chains, and in another they seized a moped from a 41‑year‑old man. One incident involved a gun being flashed at a 20‑year‑old before the chain was taken. The teen faces grand larceny and second‑degree robbery charges, while police continue to search for additional moped‑riding suspects, releasing surveillance images and urging the public to call Crime Stoppers with tips.

The investigation highlights a coordinated street‑crime operation targeting personal accessories, prompting heightened police patrols and community alerts in the affected neighborhoods.