A Manhattan cop recently opened fire at a few suspected members of a high-end robbery ring. The suspects may be tied to the shooting at Philippe Chow that took place last month, police sources said. Cops believe that the members of the ring tool around in BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes to pull off their heists.
Police are of the opinion that the gang has so far been involved in a minimum of 12 robberies, across Queens, Manhattan, and The Bronx, netting over $4 million in watches and jewelry since August.
The armed robbers call themselves “OED,” which stands for Own Every Dollar, and are associated with the notorious Trinitarios gang from The Bronx. A Manhattan cop said, “They are very vicious. After they shot a victim Uptown, they pounced on him and stole his jewelry while he was dying.”
The robbers’ latest crime unfolded at around 1:15 a.m. (local time) just outside the popular Pergola eatery and hookah bar when officers recognized a BMW that was parked nearby, given that it closely matched the description of a vehicle that was tied to a number of lucrative jewelry heists in the recent past.
When cops attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver gunned the engine and managed to jump a curb. The officer finally managed to stop the car, but only after firing a total of three shots through the windshield of the vehicle. Although no one was hurt by the bullets, it isn’t clear who was behind the wheel.
One of the suspects, Wilson Mendez, 19, was nabbed by the police after a short chase. He was taken to a hospital located nearby for treatment of cuts to his face. Sources have indicated that charges against him are still pending. Another suspect, who was reportedly wearing dark clothing, is still on the run, and so is the third suspect.