Three thieves attacked a man in a strong-arm robbery that netted $500,000 in jewelry, only for an Apple AirTag to lead police to two suspects in Queens, cops said on Friday.
The 50-year-old victim had parked his car outside Rosa’s Pizza, on 21st St. near 31st Ave. in Astoria, when the trio attacked around 9:45 p.m. Thursday, cops said.
The crooks threw the victim to the ground and struck him repeatedly before nabbing a silver briefcase containing a fortune in jewelry, law enforcement sources told the Daily News.
The thieves fled heading east on 31st Ave. before disappearing. But the victim was able to provide police with information generated by Apple’s signature tracking device, which he’d placed in the stolen bag, sources said.
The device led police to a Queens address where they arrested Brayan Pulido Pedina, 23, and Sandy Pulido, 21, cops said.
Both suspects were charged with criminal possession of stolen property, reckless endangerment and fleeing police. Pulido Pedina was slapped with an additional charge for resisting arrest.
Though the tracking device led police to the two suspects, investigators have not recovered the stolen jewelry, cops said.
Police ask anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. All calls are confidential.
