Mount Vernon Armed Robbery Suspects Fire at Police; Search Underway

Armed Robbery and Police Encounter

• 🎯 Armed suspects robbed a gas station attendant at gunpoint on Mount Vernon Avenue early Friday morning.
• 💡 The victim, Yousef Toppel, was held at gunpoint and had a weapon pressed to his back, but was thankfully not injured.
• 💰 The robbers escaped with the gas station's proceeds and the victim's wallet.

Police Response and Search

• 🚓 An NYPD unit spotted the suspects, leading to a pursuit where the suspects fired shots at NYPD officers.
• 💥 NYPD officers returned fire, and a massive search involving multiple local and federal agencies, including K-9 units, was launched.
• 📍 Police focused their search on areas near Pearl Street, collecting evidence and reviewing Ring camera footage.

Recovered Evidence and Service Disruptions

• 🔫 Authorities recovered a firearm during the investigation, though the suspects remain at large.
• 🚆 The incident caused temporary disruptions to Metro North service at Mount Vernon East due to the nearby tracks.
• ⚠️ The suspects are considered armed and dangerous, and the search is ongoing.