A member of a violent Manhattan theft crew that targets patrons at Huge Apple nightclubs — together with homosexual bars — has been arrested and charged with homicide within the overdose deaths of two partygoers, police stated Thursday.
Kenwood Allen, 33, is allegedly a part of the vicious gang that has been drugging inebriated revelers and robbing them — with a minimum of 26 assaults since March.
“They aim their victims leaving bars, providing medication in some instances, then both by power or when the sufferer passes out, they take away jewellery, cash, high-end watches and telephones from their victims,” NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig stated at a press briefing.
Police stated the crimes turned lethal when two of the victims overdosed and died after partying at Decrease East Aspect night time spots.
Allen — who has 17 busts on his rap sheet — is charged within the March 18 loss of life of Nurbo Shera at a membership on Seventh Road, and the loss of life of Ardijan Berisha at 52 Ludlow St. on July 30, Essig stated.
“We don’t significantly assume that they’re focusing on homosexual members,” Essig stated. “That is primarily based solely on financial achieve.”
He stated Allen was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury final week on the murders, in addition to two counts of theft and one rely of assault within the theft spree.
Police additionally arrested a second suspect however had not named that particular person.
Essig stated cops have recognized a minimum of 5 members of the crew, and that the investigation into the crimes is ongoing.
The Put up beforehand reported that a gang of thieves focusing on homosexual nightclubs was terrorizing Hell’s Kitchen and surrounding areas by their lethal sport.
Police stated Thursday that Allen’s crew’s MO is to reap the benefits of drunk patrons.
“We imagine that the perpetrators are focusing on people which can be popping out of the bars late at night time as a result of they’re intoxicated,” NYPD Lt. Dave Leonardo stated.
“They’re approaching them providing them narcotics,” Leonardo stated. “At this level, primarily based on our lab investigation, it appears like our narcotic is laced with a number of narcotics that have been bought over the black net, after which made right into a cocktail.
“It was a mixture of lidocaine, fentanyl, cocaine, and we imagine the lidocaine actually had the impact of incapacitating these individuals to the purpose the place just like the chief talked about.”
He stated the medication take impact “virtually instantly.”
Allen, of the Bronx, wore blue denims and a inexperienced and brown plaid flannel shirt at his Manhattan Felony Court docket arraignment Thursday.
He was hit with two counts of second-degree homicide, three counts of first-degree theft, two counts of third-degree felony possession of a managed substance, two counts of second-degree theft, and two counts of second-degree assault, Manhattan prosecutors stated.
Assistant District Legal professional Brian Rodkey stated in court docket that prosecutors “intend to carry further murder prices” within the case.
“The defendant drugged his victims with fentanyl with a view to rob them of their telephones, bank cards or watch,” Rodkey stated. “He then left his victims to overdose on the road, not caring in the event that they lived or died.”
Allen’s lawyer, Timothy Pruitt, stated his consumer works as a barber within the Bronx.
Decide Felicia Mennin ordered him held with out bail pending a return court docket look on Feb. 16.
“No person ought to have to fret that a night time out at a Manhattan bar with associates might finish in tragedy,” Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg stated in an announcement. “This homicide indictment is the results of a long-term and ongoing investigation with our regulation enforcement companions to maintain our metropolis secure.”
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