New Video Shows Gunmen About To Steal $1M Jewelry From NYC Pastor: PD

NEW YORK CITY — A trio of suspected gunmen who robbed controversial Bishop Lamor Whitehead and his wife of $1 million worth of jewelry were caught on video moments before the brazen Sunday church service stickup, police said.

NYPD officials released new video this week showing the masked gunmen walking up to Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministry in Canarsie, minutes before the robbery — which itself was captured on a livestream.

Whitehead, 44, said after the heist that he believed the armed men targeted him. He also defended the "flashy" jewelry he and his wife wore, which the robbers stole and police valued at $1 million.

“It’s not about me being flashy," he said. "It’s about me purchasing what I want to purchase. It’s my prerogative to purchase what I want to purchase. If I worked hard for it, I can purchase what I want to purchase.”

But despite the substantial attention the heist garnered — including two Instagram videos by Whitehead himself — and ample video footage, police have yet to home in on suspects and are now asking for the public's help.

The video released by NYPD officials shows three men in masks and hooded sweatshirts walk up to the Remsen Avenue church. The suspected gunmen, after the robbery, left in a white Mercedes-Benz they drove east on Avenue D, police said.

Whitehead, in an Instagram video, claimed he chased after the gunmen and saw them changing clothes before they drove off.

People with information are asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or, for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). They can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on Twitter @NYPDTips.