Off-Duty NYPD Detective Interrupts Armed Robbery, Fires At Suspects

New York, NY – An off-duty New York Police Department (NYPD) detective interrupted an armed robbery on a Harlem sidewalk on Monday morning, but the thieves still got away.

The incident occurred at about 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 17 at the corner of East 122nd Street and Park Avenue in Harlem, CBS News reported.

NYPD said two masked men jumped out of a tan GMC Terrain SUV and robbed a man who was walking down the sidewalk at gunpoint, AMNY reported.

Police said the suspects took the victim’s money and watch.

“While this was going on, an off-duty NYPD detective assigned to the firearm suppression division was walking by on Park Avenue,” NYPD Chief of Department Kenneth Corey told reporters at a press conference later that day.

Chief Corey said the detective drew his service weapon and identified himself as a police officer to the armed robbers, AMNY reported.

The chief said the detective ordered the suspects not to move.

That was when one of the suspects turned toward the detective while still holding a gun and the detective opened fire on him, CBS News reported.

NYPD said the off-duty detective fired one shot in the direction of the suspects.

“One of the suspects turned towards him with a firearm in his handed, prompting the office to fire one shot,” Chief Corey explained.

The suspects fled on foot down 122nd Street and jumped into the waiting SUV, CBS News reported.

“That vehicle has since been identified as a tan GMC with Florida license plate 8814AR,” Chief Corey said.

Police said one of the suspects dropped his gun as he fled and it was recovered by officers, CBS News reported.

No arrests have been made and police have asked anyone with information about the suspects to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.

NYPD said the victim was not injured during the robbery, CBS News reported.