Thieves aim to target Westchester and prefer luxury cars
Mamaroneck
Mamaroneck police issued a warning to residents as they investigate two similar car wash robberies in the area.
On Monday the 13th at 1 p.m. m., a blue BMW with its paper registration plate and black tinted windows drove to the Diamond Car Wash on Halstead Ave.
A passenger wearing all black, gloves, a mask and a hood jumped out of the car and immediately stole a BMW X5 that had just been washed.
The employees said it happened so fast that they didn’t realize what happened until the customer was ready for his car. The car was recovered that night in Queens and was returned to its owner.
Investigators say a similar robbery occurred Monday night at a car wash in Pelham Manor.
On Tuesday, just before 4 p.m. m., they stole a BMW from the Dip In Car Wash on Mamaroneck Avenue, in the same town of Mamaroneck.
Police say the incident was similar to the first: The suspects headed to the car wash and a person immediately stole the car before speeding off.
Investigators believe the same team is responsible for all three robberies and they did their homework.
“One hundred percent, because the blue BMW could be seen across the street and he doesn’t act right away, he waits for the perfect moment to jump,” said Village of Mamaroneck Police Department Lt. P.J. Trujillo.
No arrests have been made and detectives have few leads.
The Village of Mamaroneck Police Department asks the community to be vigilant when visiting any car wash business.
“They have their modus operandi, they have their pattern, they know what they are doing. They use these vehicles to commit other crimes. The town of Mamaroneck is between [Hutchison River Parkway] and I-95, so we know it’s part of the pattern, absolutely.”
“When the car comes out of the car wash, take it to a safe place, turn off the car, find the owner, get a receipt, hand over the keys,” said Lt. Trujillo to the workers of the Car Wash.
[tabs type=”horizontal”][tabs_head][tab_title]SUGGESTIONS[/tab_title][/tabs_head][tab]
They offered the following suggestions to local car wash business owners and managers:
- After washing a car, take the car to a safe place and turn it off.
- Look for the owner and collect a payment receipt from the customer
- Give the keys to the owner, while the car is dried and detailed
Source: Mamaroneck Village Police.
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Posted on February 16, 2023
