In a recent investigation conducted by the New York City Police Department, a disturbing criminal scheme has come to light, specifically targeting the LGBTQ community. The scheme involves drug-induced robberies primarily aimed at men frequenting gay bars, resulting in a tragic loss of life for at least two victims. The police sources have revealed that another incident, previously unreported, occurred shortly before the arrest and indictment of several suspects involved in this nefarious operation.
According to prosecutors, the modus operandi of the suspects entailed drugging their victims to gain access to their cellphones and subsequently robbing them. Facial recognition technology was frequently employed as part of their strategy. Tragically, two individuals, identified as John Umberger, a 33-year-old political consultant, and Julio Ramirez, a 25-year-old social worker, lost their lives due to these drug-induced robberies.
Coming forward amidst these unsettling events is Michael, a 30-year-old gay man who wishes to remain anonymous due to concerns of potential retaliation. He recently shared his harrowing experience with NBC News. Michael recounted being drugged and robbed of approximately $5,000 after visiting The Eagle NYC, a renowned gay bar located in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. The Eagle NYC, where three similar incidents had previously been reported, has yet to issue a statement regarding the matter.
Authorities are currently investigating Michael’s case as part of the broader “citywide robbery pattern” linked to the indicted suspects. Notably, no specific charges have been filed in connection with Michael’s incident. Earlier, four out of the six suspects had been arrested on grand larceny charges related to the scheme, but three were subsequently released due to the bail law in New York.
According to Michael, on the night of the incident, he and his friends encountered three men outside the bar around 3:45 a.m. While he was intoxicated, he vaguely remembers entering a taxi with these individuals, while his friends departed separately. His memory becomes hazy after that, but he later found himself in an unfamiliar apartment, regaining consciousness several hours later and realizing his cellphone was missing. To his surprise, a woman who knew his name encountered him on an East Harlem street, displaying annoyance rather than offering assistance. Michael managed to hail a cab and return home to Brooklyn, only to discover that his bank accounts had been drained, leaving him with a mere $40.
Following these distressing events, Michael reported the robbery to the authorities, expressing his belief that the three men drugged him, stole his phone, and utilized its facial recognition technology to access his bank accounts. The NYPD confirmed that a 30-year-old man had indeed filed a police report after unauthorized charges worth $5,000 were discovered in his accounts subsequent to spending time with the unknown males.
Four days later, a Manhattan grand jury indicted five of the six suspects involved in the criminal scheme, with the sixth suspect being indicted in April. Michael’s sense of violation and insecurity is profound, as he reflects on the incident and states, “To be in what I thought was kind of a safe space like the Eagle — some place that I feel safe and welcomed — to be in that environment and to have my own drunken friendliness be taken advantage of like this, it’s a major violation. It makes me feel unsafe in a place that’s been my home for a long time.”
Although the majority of victims targeted in this scheme are gay men, authorities have clarified that the motive behind the crimes is financial gain, rather than the victims’ sexual orientation. Additionally, a separate group is suspected of committing similar crimes against 26 victims visiting bars without an LGBTQ affiliation, indicating a broader criminal network operating within the city.
The investigation into these drug-induced robberies continues, as law enforcement aims to bring justice to the victims and ensure the safety of the LGBTQ community, which has been shaken by these unsettling incidents.