A terrifying chase unfolded on the streets of Queens when four teenagers, wielding knives and screwdrivers, pursued a man in a brazen daylight robbery attempt on September 2. The incident, which took place around 4:00 PM on Northern Boulevard near a Best Buy store, left witnesses shaken and sparked outrage online. Video footage capturing the teens, dressed in black hoodies and pants, chasing their victim across busy sidewalks has since spread across social media, raising concerns about rising NYC youth crime. The victim, an adult man, managed to escape the relentless pursuit, though it remains unclear if the teens succeeded in stealing anything.
A bystander described the scene as “horrible and vulgar,” noting the victim’s desperate sprint to safety as the group chased him through the bustling commercial area. The alarming nature of the event, coupled with the use of makeshift weapons like screwdrivers, has left the community on edge. Later that day, the same group of teens reportedly caused chaos inside a nearby Old Navy store, believed to be in the Queens Center Mall area. There, they targeted a woman, following her through the aisles, throwing clothes hangers at her, and cursing at her in Spanish.
The woman’s daughter, a witness, said her mother sought refuge at the cashier station, but store staff offered no assistance.
“She ran to the cashier, but no one helped,”
The witness recounted, highlighting the fear and frustration felt during the ordeal. The suspects, described as young males likely aged 13 to 17, remain at large, with no arrests reported as of now. Social media platforms like X, Instagram, and TikTok have amplified the incident, with videos showing the teens’ aggressive behavior gaining thousands of views.
Public reactions online range from demands for stricter policing to calls for addressing the root causes of youth crime. Some posts have linked the event to broader trends of robberies in Queens, though no evidence connects this incident to organized gangs. The NYPD has not released an official statement on the robbery or the Old Navy disturbance, leaving many questions unanswered. Northern Boulevard, a busy hub with retail stores, has recently seen similar incidents, prompting public safety discussions in commercial areas. This Queens teen robbery is a stark reminder of the city’s challenges.
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