Police say the group took the 14-year-old’s backpack and sneakers worth about $900 and fled on foot.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Police are looking for six teenagers after a 14-year-old girl was robbed near New Lots Avenue and Van Sinderen Avenue in Brownsville on Nov. 26 around 5:25 p.m., according to the New York City Police Department.
The case matters because investigators say the suspects — described as two girls and four boys, roughly ages 14 to 17 — acted together, took the teen’s belongings and got away before officers arrived. Detectives are circulating images of the group and asking for tips as they work to identify each person. The girl was not physically hurt, police said, but the loss and the circumstances have drawn attention from neighbors and transit riders who pass through the busy corridor at the edge of East New York and Brownsville.
Police said the encounter happened as evening traffic and pedestrians moved through the intersection. The teens allegedly forced the girl to hand over her backpack and a pair of sneakers, with the value of the stolen items estimated at about $900. After the robbery, the group ran off on foot. Officers interviewed the victim and searched the area that night but did not make an arrest. The department said images show six youths moving together before leaving the block, and investigators believe they remained in the neighborhood for a short period before dispersing.
Investigators said the group included two girls and four boys and that all six appeared to be teenagers. Officials placed the approximate ages between 14 and 17 based on appearance in images and witness accounts. The department did not release detailed clothing descriptions beyond noting streetwear and athletic shoes visible in the images. Detectives said they are checking nearby storefront cameras and municipal cameras for additional angles that could show clearer faces, travel direction or distinguishing marks on jackets and bags. Police also noted that the victim declined medical attention after officers confirmed she had no visible injuries.
The intersection sits at a busy transfer point where New Lots Avenue meets Van Sinderen Avenue. Evening foot traffic includes students, retail workers and bus riders. Residents said that area has frequent crowds after school and at shift changes, which can make it difficult to immediately track which direction a group runs after an incident. Police said they canvassed several blocks, spoke with shop employees and requested any available recordings from the late afternoon and early evening. Detectives are also reviewing recent complaints to see whether a similar group has been reported in nearby precincts.
As of Friday, police had not publicly identified the suspects or released individual names or ages. No charges had been filed. Detectives said they will continue to review tips and video evidence and will update the case if arrests are made. If officers identify the teens, the next steps would include interviews with guardians present and a review by prosecutors to decide whether to present the case in Family Court or Criminal Court based on ages and the facts of the robbery.
On the block Friday afternoon, people moved in and out of small groceries and a shoe store as buses stopped nearby. Several neighbors said the report about a stolen backpack and sneakers spread quickly on local social media pages. One resident said groups of teens often gather after school along New Lots Avenue to wait for rides or head to convenience stores. Another neighbor said more foot patrols at dismissal times could make a difference, while others said better lighting at corners helps cameras capture clearer images.
Police said the case remains open and that detectives are still collecting video from businesses along New Lots Avenue. Officials said they will release additional stills if they obtain higher-resolution images. The next update is expected once investigators finish mapping the group’s path on surrounding blocks.
Author note: Last updated December 6, 2025.