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High-cost heists hit Flushing

High-cost heists hit Flushing
By Joe Anuta

A gas station courier who had a bag containing $90,000 stolen out of his parked car Monday was just the latest victim in a Flushing neighborhood known for large-scale thefts of cash.

In this case, the courier was inside a bank depositing money at about 10 a.m. when he left his car parked near the corner of Crocheron Avenue and 162nd Street, according to police.

While he was inside, police say a man busted out a driver’s side window of the vehicle and swiped a plastic bag containing the cash.

The NYPD released surveillance footage of a suspect in the hopes the public could aid in his capture.

But having tens of thousands of dollars stolen is not exactly uncommon in Flushing.

Thieves promising religious or medical miracles have conned members of the Chinese community out of about $600,000 during the last year in the greater Flushing area covered by the 109th Precinct, officers said in April.

In one case several months ago, a 72-year-old woman put $61,000 into a sack and gave it to a woman who pledged to pray over the money and return it.

The woman did not, but she was later arrested by the 109th Precinct after being recognized and pummeled by the septuagenarian outside a Main Street mall.

In November 2012, police arrested three people who allegedly conned a 58-year-old woman out of $12,000 in a similar scheme.

In August of last year, a 40-year-old man went into a Bank of America and withdrew $40,000. While he was driving down College Point Boulevard near the Northern Boulevard underpass, he was flagged down by a motorist who had a flat tire, according to the NYPD.

When the man stopped to help, another person swiped the cash out of his car, according to police, who said the man later remembered seeing the thieves’ car at the bank.

In numerous news conferences following the incidents, police at the 109th Precinct have urged residents not to leave valuables — especially sacks containing large amounts of cash — unattended in vehicles.

In addition, officers cautioned residents to be cautious when dealing with strangers who ask for money.

Reach reporter Joe Anuta by e-mail at januta@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.