Long Island reporter Emily Smith has the story more.
Police say the group terrorized five people who were just trying to conduct their daily lives. One of the victims was coming home from a late night of work and another was an elderly woman on her way to church.
Authorities say two guns, now in evidence, belonged to the group. Neighbors who were just finding out about the spate of violent robberies say they are not surprised to hear it was mostly young woman.
"Not anymore," area resident Dorothy Williams said. "It's sad but true."
The group allegedly used the air guns, which look like the real thing, to torture five innocent people.
"Anyone who sees that gun thinks it's real," Nassau detective lieutenant John Azzata said. "And I'm sure the victims felt that way."
Cops say the young men and women took turns holding the guns to the victims heads. In most of the incidents, they first walked up from behind to steal what amounts to just pocket change.
The victims include one man getting off a train in Garden City after work and a 71-year-old woman who was knocked to the ground at 6 a.m. in Elmont.
"Very nice lady," Azzata said. "They stole her pocketbook and her Bible...walking to church."
Police say Monique White and Kemar Moore did most of the work, driving the car and holding the guns into the wee hours of the night.
White, police say, has a prior arrest for prostitution.
Due to credible eyewitness descriptions of the group, police finally made a traffic stop in Elmont on Tudor Crescent and Norfolk. All five suspects, in one car, were arrested. Police seized the two air guns and all the stolen goods, which were reportedly hidden in the glove compartment.
"If I was in that situation, I'd probably give it up too," Roose said. "You don't want to take the risk."
All five suspects are being charged as adults. They are facing felony charges, which could come with 15 years in jail for each count. All five face a minimum of six counts.
