Pair Stole $59K In String Of 17 Brooklyn, Queens Burglaries: Cops

QUEENS, NY — Two men lifted more than $59,000 in cash from 17 businesses they burgled in Queens and Brooklyn over a two-month period, police say. The serial burglars hit pizzerias, delis and other establishments from Oct. 23 to Dec. 27, stealing money, MetroCards, cigarettes and electronic smoking devices, according to the NYPD.

One man acted as a lookout while the other broke into the businesses and cracked open safes, registers, drawers and ATMs, police said. The thefts spanned six police precincts and several neighborhoods including Bayside, Woodhaven, Canarsie and Brownsville, the NYPD said.

The scores ranged from just $50 taken from a Woodhaven pizzeria on the night of Oct. 29 to $15,000 lifted from a Brownsville deli early in the morning of Dec. 3, according to police.

Cops are searching for the two unidentified men, who have both been captured on surveillance video. One of them was caught on camera pulling out a crowbar on Dec. 17.

Anyone with information about the incidents can call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-577-8477 or 1-888-577-4782 to leave a tip in Spanish. New Yorkers can also text tips to 274637 or submit them online at nypdcrimestoppers.com.

(Lead image: Police are searching for two men who they say were responsible for 17 burglaries in Brooklyn and Queens. Photo and video from the NYPD)