NYC Migrant Crews on Mopeds Wreak Havoc With Jewelry Heists, Cops Say

Crews of thieves, some described by law enforcement as illegal migrants, are using mopeds to carry out a wave of jewelry heists across New York City, according to police.

Since September, there have been more than 20 reported moped-related chain-snatchings, with at least 10 involving violence, the NYPD stated. Police sources suggest the actual number of incidents could be significantly higher, with one officer estimating hundreds of such robberies occurring citywide. These thieves often target necklaces, snatching them from victims' necks in swift attacks.

The violent nature of these crimes was highlighted in an incident earlier this month when an NYPD detective was stabbed 10 times while attempting to resist two individuals. Nine other victims have reported being punched, stabbed, or thrown to the ground during similar lightning-fast robberies.

Law enforcement officials believe some of these activities are linked to the Trinitarios, a street gang founded in the 1990s. This gang has been associated with a pattern of robberies involving two individuals on a single moped.

In a July 9, 2025, incident, two individuals believed to be Trinitario gang members on scooters allegedly shot an off-duty federal border patrol agent in Fort Washington Park. This event led to a federal operation in January that apprehended 54 alleged gang members, dubbed "Operation Salvo."

Victims describe the robbers as brazen, often using mopeds to approach quickly and escape. In one instance on October 8, a bodega worker and Uber driver in the Bronx was stabbed in the leg while trying to protect his gold chain as he walked his 5-year-old son home from school. The 17-year-old suspect apprehended with the help of bystanders was released on $900 bail, according to the victim.

Another incident on September 13 involved a thief dragging a victim down the street before snatching a $2,700 chain. Two days later, on September 28, two robbers on e-bikes punched a 60-year-old man in the face and stole $8,000 worth of jewelry after displaying a firearm.

Even off-duty police officers have been targeted. An officer had her necklace, valued at $800, stolen on October 10 in Brooklyn. Eight days prior, Detective Jose Mercedes was stabbed 10 times in the Bronx during an attempted chain snatching. The two suspects in that case, D’Angelo Caraballo, 25, and Sneider Mejia, 24, were apprehended outside of Boston and face attempted murder charges. Homeland Security and ICE confirmed both men are natives of the Dominican Republic with prior criminal records and are living in the U.S. illegally.

Despite the surge in these specific crimes, an NYPD spokesperson stated that chain-snatchings have recently decreased in the Bronx following the attack on Detective Mercedes. Overall major crime in New York City has also seen a 7% reduction so far this year compared to the same period last year, with the Bronx reporting a 12% decrease.

Critics point to city policies, such as a perceived lack of enforcement against e-bike riders, as contributing factors to the rise in lawlessness. Some suggest a return to disbanded anti-crime units could help address the issue.