‘Tis The Season For Gift Card Theft

Still image of the suspect who purchased the gift cards.Photo courtesy of the NYPD.

By Christina Carrega

A 31-year-old man was robbed in Flushing on Monday evening after purchasing $3500 worth of Macy’s gift cards, police said.

The victim told police he met up with another man in front of 33-46 Farrington St. in Flushing to purchase several gift cards related to Macy’s department store. The men exchanged a box of 27 gift cards for $3500 in cash.

Minutes later, another man approached and lifted his shirt to show the handle of a gun that was tucked in his waistband.

The alleged gunman asked the victim what was in his pockets and the victim told him that all he had were a cell phone and gift cards.

Police said the gunman took the cards and ran away.

Police are looking for the man who purchased the gift cards and the man who had a gun. Both suspects are described as Asian and 5 feet 8 inches tall and were last seen wearing blue hooded sweaters.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM, on Twitter @NYPDTips or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.