According to the Long Island Newsday, Nassau County, New York, police are warning oil drivers to be aware of their surroundings after a strong of robberies.
Police say it appears that a “crew of robbers” have been targeting oil delivery drivers.
Since December 16, 2013, four oil delivery drivers have been robbed at gun-point.
The first robbery was on a Slomin’s Oil driver. Three men allegedly threw the 49-year-old driver to the ground and demanded his money.
According to the delivery driver, the men took off in a blue Chevrolet sedan.
On January 14, a driver was making a “cash on delivery” load to a residence, when he was approached by a man who claimed to be the homeowner. Another man then approached and demanded the driver’s wallet.
A third incident occurred on January 17. When a 44-year-old driver was delivering fuel to a home, he was attacked and robbed.
The suspects reportedly fled in a blue Chevrolet Malibu.
On January 27, a 41-year-old Petro Oil driver was robbed at gunpoint by a male who was brandishing a handgun.
The suspect was described as a 15 to 20-year-old male, 5’7″ tall, wearing a black puffy jacket, gloves and jeans.
According to CBS New York, the robberies all occurred in Baldwin, Roosevelt and Hempstead.
“Men are grabbed by two to three subjects, generally grabbed from behind, one subject will approach them, demand whatever cash they have on them,” Nassau County Police Det. Sgt. John Giambrone told CBS New York.
Police are working with oil companies to protect the drivers, Long Island.com reported. They’re recommending drivers carry little to no cash or valuables.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.
Sources: LongIsland.com
CBS New York
Long Island Newsday