8 The QUEE NS Courier • november 20, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com Pair suspected in second travel agency robbery BY CRISTABELLE TUMOLA [email protected]/@CristabelleT Two suspects who tied up the employees of a Howard Beach travel agency during an armed robbery earlier this month are likely connected to a second travel agency robbery in Queens just days later, authorities said. In both incidents, the suspects tied up the employees at gunpoint before trying to take money from the safe. The suspects, both armed with guns, entered Liberty Travel on Cross Bay Boulevard about 9:40 a.m. on Nov. 7, and ordered its six employees to the back of the agency, police said. They then zip-tied the employees and asked for the location of the safe. The suspects then took an undetermined amount of money from the safe and the employees’ cell phones before fleeing. Police believe the same two men robbed the Crown Travel Agency in South Richmond Hill on Wednesday morning. Two men, one armed with a gun, entered the 118th Street business about 11 a.m. and zip-tied the employees. They then demanded that the employees open the safe. When they could not open it, the suspects took an undetermined amount of money from a cash tin in the office as well as jewelry and cash from the two employees and then fled. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (8477). REAL ESTATE FIRM HELPS GIVE HOME TO QUEENS FAMILY BY LIAM LA GUERE [email protected] @LiamLaGuerre Real estate firm Urban Compass is donating money — and time — so that a Queens family can have a home of their own. The company has contributed $20,000 to Habitat for Humanity New York City to renovate a vacant Jamaica home, which will be given to a family of four from Elmhurst. Urban Compass employees will also volunteer 500 hours to help construct the home at 178-25 93rd Ave. So far the team has already helped put up Sheetrock and worked on the backyard and lighting. “The employees in the company are very community oriented and people that want to participate in society around them and help make the world better,” said Robert Reffkin, CEO and founder of Urban Compass. The house, which is the first of many that Urban Compass plans to help Habitat NYC with, is expected to be completed in six months. It will be given to the family in May of next year. Originally built in 1920, the home has been vacant for several years and has fallen into disrepair, according to Habitat for Humanity. The organization bought the house for $1 from the New York City Housing Authority to be one of 13 properties around the city that will be transformed and given to families through its homeownership program. Photos courtesy of Urban Compass 178-25 93rd Ave. Photos of the suspects captured during the robbery at Crown Travel Agency.
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