December 23, 2022
NEW YORK CITY—An arrest has been made in a violent robbery spree in Manhattan that police say involved a group drugging their victims.
Kenwood Allen, 33, has been charged with murder in connection with the case. Allen is part of a violent robbery gang behind at least 26 incidents between March and December, according to CBS New York.
Family members of 28-year-old Nurbu Sherpa have been waiting for months, trying to piece together how their beloved son died.
According to Nurbu’s uncle, the 28-year-old went out on St. Patrick’s Day and was found early on March 18 lying on East 7th Street near Tompkins Square Park. Sherpa was immediately rushed to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Family members told CBS New York they initially thought their son’s death was an accident, however, they learned Thursday an arrest was made for his murder.
“They target their victims leaving bars, offering drugs in some cases. Then either through force or when the victim passes out, they remove jewelry, money, high-end watches, and phones from their victims,” stated NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig.
Police say there have been six fatal overdoses associated with Allen’s crew. Allen has been charged in two of those six overdoses. So far, he’s among two people arrested and authorities are searching for other members of the gang.
The gang is accused of giving laced drugs or cigarettes to their victims.
“It was a mix of lidocaine, fentanyl, cocaine and we believe the lidocaine is what really had the effect on incapacitating these people,” NYPD Lt. Dave Leonardo said.
Authorities say Allen has 17 prior arrests, including for grand larceny and burglary. He’s due back in court on January 19, 2023.
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