Shomrim volunteers were on alert after a group of wanted snatch-and-robbery suspects returned to the area looking for more victims using a distraction tactic that had already targeted people in the neighborhood.

In the earlier incidents, the suspects would pull over and ask people for directions. After the victims helped them and the suspects thanked them, they would give the victims a hug while quietly removing expensive jewelry without them realizing it. In many cases, the victims only noticed much later that their jewelry was missing and immediately reached out to Shomrim for assistance.

Shomrim volunteers quickly reviewed security footage from the area, identified the suspicious vehicle, and passed the information along to all Shomrim volunteers to remain on alert for the car.

The second the suspicious vehicle entered the neighborhood again, sharp-eyed Shomrim volunteers recognized it and immediately called for additional volunteers to assist while notifying the NYPD. Volunteers carefully followed the suspects as they drove throughout Boro Park searching for more victims, while live updates were constantly relayed to responding officers.

The suspects continued driving through local streets before heading toward the highway. As NYPD units closed in, the driver attempted a dangerous escape by entering the highway in the wrong direction near the Battery Tunnel exit, driving into oncoming traffic in an effort to get away.

An alert officer quickly spotted the reckless move, stopped the vehicle, and both the driver and passenger were taken into custody without further incident.

Great job by NYPD with the help of Shomrim, along with the officers from the 72 and 76 Precincts, for their coordinated efforts in helping bring the incident to a safe ending.