Man breaks into cell phone store, takes off with $9,000 worth of phones, NYPD says

Twenty individuals were indicted and variously charged in a wide-ranging scheme to steal cars in Queens, throughout New York City and its suburbs, following a three-year investigation by the Queens District Attorney’s Office, the NYPD, and the New York State Police dubbed “Operation Hellcat,” into the criminal enterprise based in Queens.

Some of the vehicles were stolen from owners’ driveways, some with the keys or key fobs inside. The stolen vehicles were often sold through advertisements on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. The defendants are charged in nine separate indictments for a total of 373 counts, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Thursday.

May. 8, 2025 By QNS News Team

Queens drivers are being warned of two significant overnight ramp closures now in effect on the Long Island Expressway (I-495) and Grand Central Parkway, as part of a $14.8 million state project to improve traffic safety and mobility at one of Queens’ busiest interchanges.

Police from the 109th Precinct in Flushing are looking for a masked gunman who pulled off an armed robbery at a cell phone store on the night of Monday, May 5.

The suspect entered the Total Wireless shop located in the old Hua Cheng Restaurant at 41-19 Kissena Blvd., across the street from the Queens Public Library branch, just before 7 p.m. He approached the counter, pulled out a firearm, and threatened the 27-year-old woman who was working the night shift, police said Wednesday.

May. 8, 2025 By jmilitello

May 8, 2025 By Jessica Militello

May. 8, 2025 By Ethan Marshall

The average cost of rent across New York City reached $3,966 a month by the end of April 2025, amounting to 144% more than the national average of $1,625, according to a report by Apartments.com.

May. 8, 2025 By jmilitello

May 8, 2025 By Jessica Militello

May. 8, 2025 By Ethan Marshall

The Amazin’ Mets Foundation announced the launch of its 2025 “Amazin’ Auction,” which will feature bidding on exclusive Mets fan experiences and memorabilia, with proceeds going to the Amazin’ Mets Foundation’s programs.

May. 8, 2025 By Ethan Marshall

The luxury online fashion retailer Moda Operandi has reached an agreement with the real estate developer The Davis Companies to lease 30,000 square feet at the newly renovated Pearl Building, an industrial property at 58-30 Grand Ave. in Maspeth.

May. 8, 2025 By Shane O’Brien

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng is leading a bipartisan push to protect low-income families who fall victim to skimming and other forms of theft targeting their food benefits.

May 7, 2025 By Bill Parry

A serial burglar from Jackson Heights was sentenced to up to 30 years in prison Tuesday in Queens Supreme Court for targeting homes across the borough during a three-month crime spree beginning in late 2022.