The “Bentley Bandits,” a group of armed robbers in Manhattan, has earned the nickname from the first car they targeted.
On February 18th, the crew was focusing on the 2023 Bentley sedan, costing over $200,000 and happened to be idling on West 28th Avenue.
One of the Bentley bandits approached a high-end vehicle with a gun. He walked to the driver’s side and asked the person to leave the car.
The owner followed the order, but the Bentley Bandit ran into problems. A expensive sedan sat in the park, idling on the street, seconds turned into minutes.
That’s because of one of the very important, important details.
“They don’t know how to operate the vehicle. High-end vehicles. NYPD chief John Mastronaldi told NBC New York. “We couldn’t move the vehicle because we didn’t know how to put the vehicle in the car.”
Carjacker’s crime partner jumps in to help, but Bentley Bandits still can’t figure out how to put a luxury car into gear. The robber then spits out a white BMW.
Just ten minutes later, they found a 2024 Mercedes-Benz on East 40th Avenue.
“They also told the individual to get out of the car and point the firearm at him,” Mastronaldi said.
The crew was able to drive the driver and passengers out of the sedan at the gun point, this time around.
“These are violent individuals. They will become more brave with each incident they have,” warned Mastronaldi.
So, Prime Minister Mastronaldi and a team of detectives against criminals in the NYPD are working to track them down before another victim is there.
“(The victims) are ambushed. They don’t know what’s going on. They have a firearm pointed at their face. What are you going to do? You’re going to get out of the car. Right? That’s that, or you’re going to be killed. You don’t know what they’re going to do,” Mastronaldi said.
The NYPD says the crew, which are considered armed and dangerous, are unique.
“There are three individuals. Two individuals actually commit robberies. The third individual is the escape driver. The two individuals robbing are wearing black hoodies and masks. One individual is very distinctive in that they wear varsity-type jackets with distinctive patches,” Mastronaldi said.
Mastronaldi said he is confident his team will put the brakes on Bentley bandits as he works to see if the detectives are linked to other carjacks in Manhattan.
“I think we’re stacking decks against these individuals with technology, video, good old police work, and public support. I’m sure it’s going to reach a successful conclusion. “We have to catch them.
Anyone who recognizes an individual in photos or videos is asked to contact the police immediately.
